Hut Circle Settlement and Field System South-East of Erw

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

This multi-phase site lies within enclosed land on the slopes of Braich Moel Smytho and includes the well-preserved remains of an Iron Age or Romano-British (c.800 BC - AD 400) settlement of circular huts with an associated field system, and two rectangular huts probably dating to the medieval period.

The hut circle settlement comprises an enclosed group of four huts, an individual hut with an adjoining semi-circular enclosure and two further huts, scattered amongst a field system which radiates outwards from the enclosed settlement. The medieval settlement is superimposed on the pre-existing fields and consists of two rectangular huts, the northern of which is associated with a shallow pool and yard.

The settlement was not a defensive site, the significant views would have been medium and short over the fields farmed from the settlement, the majority of which would probably have been on the lower land to the west and north.

The site is notable for the number and variety of the surviving structural features. Its value is increased further by its long period of use, suggestive of continuity, from the prehistoric to the medieval period. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric to medieval settlement practices. It is an important relic of the prehistoric and medieval landscapes and retains significant archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of environmental and structural evidence, including preserved internal and external floor levels. Its archaeological significance is further enhanced by the presence of other, possibly contemporary settlements in this area.

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