Defended Enclosure 500m NNE of Blaen-maenog

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a very well preserved earthwork defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 43). The triangular-shaped enclosure is located on a north-facing inland promontory above steep slopes that mark the defensive circuit on the east and northwest sides. It measures 180m northeast to southwest in length by 130m transversely. The southwest side is defended by a close set series of three massive banks with intervening ditches. The inner bank is the largest and measures 70m in length, 5m in height and 10m in width. The middle bank measures 95m in length, 3m in height and 9m in width. The outer bank measures 110m in length, 2m in height and 9m in width. The respective ditches measure 4m in width. The entrance is located at the southeast corner between the southwest terminals of the banks and the steep slope to the east. The interior is oval in shape on plan and measures 80m north to south by 60m transversely. Unusually, a bank and ditch defence strengthened the steep slope at the northern point of the promontory. The bank measures 2.5m in height and the ditch measures 4.5m in width and 1m in depth.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric landscape. It is very well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, layout, building techniques and functional detail.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is an irregular polygon in shape and measures 225m north to south by 150m transversely.