Fortified Hut Settlement above Rachub

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 a defended hut group, which although small, is strongly defended and sited on a sloping spur. It probably dates from the Iron Age or Romano-British period (c. 800 BC - AD 400).

At the SE end is a ditch cutting the spur off from the rest of the hill. On the inner side of this is a bank, over 1.5 m high from the bottom of the ditch. The bank continues all round the site in an almost sub-rectangular shape but is at its highest here. The site slopes down to the NW away from the high bank, with hut sites down both long sides, levelled into the slope. On the SW two are visible, and on the NE there are more. The huts appear as platforms or hollows.

There is a gap in the bank on the NW which is probably modern but may have modified or destroyed the original entrance. On the E is a natural cliff (possibly enhanced by more recent quarrying) and on the other sides more gradual slopes; scatters of slate and stone suggest the surrounding bank was once higher, or topped with a wall.

The settlement is located with views across the valley of the Afon Ogwen and therefore the significant view is westward in an arc from north to south-west.

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.