Settlement between Cil-Twllan and Tan-y-Garth

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument consists of an extensive settlement, stretching from Tan-y-Garth at the NW, for about 250m towards Cil-Twllan. It could represent occupation from the Iron Age or Romano-British period (c. 800 BC - AD 400) through to medieval times (c. 1066-1540 AD).

Just S of the sheep folds at Tan-y-Garth are 2 or 3 circular features, perhaps prehistoric hut foundations.

On the rocky terrace above this, to the SE, are 2 rectangular platforms and foundations scarped into the slope and associated with ruined field or paddock boundaries and a circular enclosure, perhaps a medieval farmstead.

Further to the SE, in the S corner of a small rock-strewn enclosure are remains measuring approximately 11m by 5m, traditionally known as The Priest's House. These consist of a building lying on a platform which is dug into the hill on the NE and is built up on the SW side. A single course of large boulders remains. The doorway was in the centre of the NW side and a terraced track approaches from this side. To the N and NE, in the same enclosure, are three level areas which may represent building platforms.

In wet, marshy land 45m to the SE of The Priest's House lies a rectangular platform scarped into the hillside, measuring 22m by 11m with axis SW to NE but much robbed at the W corner. This is traditionally known as Eglwys Cil Twllan and is dated to the medieval period by a find from the foundations of the building that once stood on the platform.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of settlement organisation. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.