Mynydd Bychan

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 series of late prehistoric and later medieval houses contained within a defensive earthwork. The site was excavated in 1949-50 by Dr. H.N. Savory. Excavations showed three phases of development:

1. c. 50 B.C. - A.D. 50. A small fortified settlement, with defences of bank, ditch and small counterscarp bank. On the north side there was a second ditch. Inside there were 3-5 round timber-framed huts. The entrance was at the west apex, with four posts and a large bastion on the south side.

2. c. A.D. 50 - 120. An undefended settlement with at least three round huts with dry stone wall footings. Each stood in a low-walled enclosure.

3. 11th - 13th century. A roughly recangular building, c. 11 x 3.5m, was built in the northeast corner of the enclosure. Twice rebuilt and enlarged before abandonment in the 13th century.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of settlement organisation. 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. They may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

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