Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Coelbren Fort
Onllwyn, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Fort
- Period
- Roman
- Date of designation
- 30 November 1936
- Community
- Onllwyn
- Unitary authority
- Neath Port Talbot
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 51.78354, -3.65470
- SAM number
- GM146
- Cadw record number
- 2874
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 LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The monument consists of the remains of a medium-sized auxiliary fort dating from c. AD 75 (Roman period). It is located on the Roman road from Neath to Brecon. It is best preserved on the west side where surrounding bank and two outer ditches are clearly visible. Excavations revealed a standard layout, with timber buildings inside. To the south are the remains of a probably earlier large marching camp (GM343). Roads can be traced leading to the south and east of the fort. The fort was abandoned AD 140-50.
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 structures may contain well preserved archaeological evidence concerning chronology, layout and building techniques.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Nearby in the register
- Roman Marching Camp South East of Coelbren FortMarching Campunder 1 mi
- Section of Road NE of Coelbren FortRoadunder 1 mi
- Remains of Blast Furnaces at BanwenBlast Furnaceunder 1 mi
- Pillow Mounds at Pant MawrPillow Mound2 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.