Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Braich y Cornel Hut Circle Settlement and Field System
Dolbenmaen, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Hut Circle Settlement
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 16 January 1998
- Community
- Dolbenmaen
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.97940, -4.15671
- SAM number
- CN274
- Cadw record number
- 886
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The monument comprises a remarkably well preserved example of an unenclosed hut circle settlement, probably dating to the Iron Age or Romano-British period (c. 800 BC - AD 400). The settlement consists of the stone foundations of three hut circles and an extensive field system situated on the slopes of Braich y Cornel overlooking Cwm Ystradllyn. Also present is a rectangular hut, probably dating to the medieval period.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric domestic life and social organisation. Excavations in the 1950s have demonstrated the archaeological potential of the site. A lack of subsequent disturbance suggests that the monument retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of structural evidence and associated archaeological features and deposits, including internal and external floor levels. The site’s importance is enhanced by its location within an area known to have been intensively occupied during the later prehistoric period and by the evidence of re-occupation or longevity of use, at least into the medieval period.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Nearby in the register
- Hut Circles at Braich y CornelUnenclosed hut circleunder 1 mi
- Cae-Bach Hut Circle SettlementHut Circle Settlementunder 1 mi
- Hut Circle Settlement East of Cefn BiforUnenclosed hut circleunder 1 mi
- Treforys Deserted Quarry SettlementSettlementunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.