Coed Uchaf 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 and associated fields, probably dating to the Bronze Age or Iron Age (2300BC to AD74). An enclosure wall c.2.5m wide, of earth and stones, forms an oval area measuring 23m by 27m, with an entrance on the SE. Inside are two round huts, the larger one has an internal diameter of c.7.6m and the smaller one 5m. The remains of a possibly later rectangular building lie against the inner side of the enclosure wall, on the E. The associated terraced fields are only clearly visible to the S and W. Three of the terraces abut against the enclosure wall and the hut group and fields appear to be contemporary.

There has been some disturbance of the stone inside the enclosure, possibly a result of excavations which took place in 1871, and some of the walls have been rebuilt. Excavation of the smaller hut revealed, near the centre, a fireplace of four stones set on edge, and against the S wall a large hearthstone. Slag and charcoal were found in and around the fireplace and ashes near the hearth. In the larger hut was a stone bench along the inner side of the wall, on the W. The only finds were a spindle whorl and a piece of crystal. The rectangular building yielded a whetstone, slag, charcoal, ashes and heat-broken stones interpreted as 'pot-boilers'. Its floor was found to be nearly 1m above the level of the other huts.

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.