Pen-plaenau Roman marching camp

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a Roman marching camp, probably dating from the conquest of Wales by the Romans in the first century AD (probably around AD 74 - 77). The marching camp occupies a defensive position on the S-facing slopes of Pen-plaenau, overlooking the Nant Rhydwilym stream. It is irregular on plan, the well-preserved upstanding earthworks of the rampart breached at least three times by entrances defended by claviculae (internally curving defensive banks). The earth and stone rampart measures about 3.5m in width and about 0.7m in height, while the external ditch measures about 2m in width and about 0.5m in depth.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Roman military organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider context of the Roman occupation of Wales and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is irregular and measures c. 600m from ESE to WNW by up to 400m transversely.