Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Enclosure on Rhossili Down
Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton, Swansea, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Enclosure
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 19 September 1995
- Community
- Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Cheriton
- Unitary authority
- Swansea
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 51.58503, -4.27732
- SAM number
- GM487
- Cadw record number
- 1411
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 comprises the remains of an earthwork/stone-built enclosure. The date or precise nature of the enclosure is unknown, but it is likely to be later prehistoric or medieval. It is circular in shape formed by stone-walls on open moorland falling gently to the east. The enclosure is 14m in diameter and surrounded by a low stone wall between 2.5m to 3m wide, partially faced internally with large horizontally set orthostats standing 4m to 5m high. The enclosure lies just downhill from the two megalithic tombs known as Sweyne's Houses.
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
- Sweyne's Howe chambered cairnsChambered Tombunder 1 mi
- Round Cairn on Bessie's MeadowRound Cairnunder 1 mi
- Rhossili Down Round CairnsRound Cairnunder 1 mi
- Burnt Mound on Rhossili DownBurnt Moundunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.