Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Pen y Gaer Hillfort
Llangollen Rural, Denbighshire, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Hillfort
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 1 July 1987
- Community
- Llangollen Rural
- Unitary authority
- Denbighshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.97617, -3.11770
- SAM number
- DE231
- Cadw record number
- 2339
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 LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales
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.
Pen y Gaer Hillfort comprises the remains of a defended enclosure or hillfort. Such monuments probably date to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74), although several are known to date from the Late Bronze Age with activity through to the early post-Roman period. The fort measures approximately 1.2ha with a precipice forming a natural defence on the south west side and a thick stone rampart defending the other sides. There is a possible entrance in the east side and the interior is sloping with some stone features on the northern side. Investigations in the early twentieth century were inconclusive.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Nearby in the register
- Ysgoldy Brynhyfryd and two integrated HousesReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Outbuildings at Plas IfaAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- Plas IfaDomesticunder 1 mi
- Bridge No 40Transportunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.