Cae Metta Hut Group

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

An enclosed hut group containing both round and rectilinear huts, probably dating to the Iron Age or Romano-British period , lying on the SE side of a small valley. A modern wall overlies the enclosure wall on the SW and the site is crossed by a modern stone wall running from NW to SE. The larger part of the site lies to the SW of the modern wall, where there are two round huts, one rectilinear hut and several other structures. Walls are up to 1m high, of earth and stones with orthostatic faces. To the NE of the modern wall is a further round hut and the enclosure wall is clearly visible, c. 1 m wide and 0.5 m high.

The hut group was the subject of archaeological excavations undertaken between 1971 and 1974, directed by Mr R G Livens of University College of North Wales (UCNW) Bangor. These recovered information about the construction of the hut group, sherds of Roman pottery and a much-worn bronze coin presumed to be Roman. Post-excavation analysis has shown that it is likely that the site was occupied in the 2nd and 4th centuries.

Outside the scheduled area lie the remains of a field system and a single round hut was recorded at SH538694 but which has probably been destroyed since.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric settlement and defence. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structures themselves may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques.

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