Mynydd Carn-Goch Roman Earthworks

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 two Roman practice camps. Dating to the Roman period (AD 74-410), the camps were constructed as part of a military training exercise by auxillary soldiers, who paid particular attention to the corners and entrances, which were the most difficult elements to build. The camp is roughly square in shape on plan with rounded corners aligned to the cardinal points of the compass.

Camp A - rectangular earthwork measuring c. 22m square with rounded corners and entrance gaps on all four sides (centrally placed). Slight ditch on the outside, bank measuring c. 0.45m high above the outside and c. 0.30m above the interior. (Telegraph pole on northern bank).

Camp B - situated 65m to the east of Camp A. Rectangular earthwork 27m square, rounded corners and no apparent entrances. The bank is c. 4.5m wide by 0.60m high above the outside and 0.30m above the interior.

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 concerning chronology and building techniques, together with a strong probability of environmental evidence.

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