Defended Enclosure 300m W of Pen y Gar

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of an inland promontory fort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 43). The enclosure is located on a west-facing spur overlooking the Afon Gwili and above steep slopes that mark the defensive circuit on the north, south and east sides. A north to south aligned bank and ditch protects the neck of the promontory on the east side. The bank measures 55m in length and 6m in width. It measures 2m in height, but fades to 0.6m in height towards the south end. The outer ditch measures up to 6m in width and 0.5m in depth. The location of the entrance is uncertain, but may be situated at the south end where the bank stops short of the steep valley side. The wooded interior is triangular in shape on plan and measures a maximum of 65m in length by 55m in width.

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 context and within the surrounding landscape. It is 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 triangular in shape and measures 100m in length (north to south) by 90m transversely.