Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Deserted Rural Settlement North of Foel Fynyddau
Pelenna, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
A scheduled monument in Pelenna, Neath Port Talbot, recorded as House Platform (Medieval).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- House Platform
- Period
- Medieval
- Date of designation
- 30 August 2001
- Community
- Pelenna
- Unitary authority
- Neath Port Talbot
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 51.63530, -3.75853
- SAM number
- GM551
- Cadw record number
- 816
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
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1636 map "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1637 · The fourth table of England. Cornub. Devonia, Somerset etc. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. A. Kon: England. b. Frstenthum Wales: Shire: 37-40 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1865 · England and Wales. England No. 6. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1891 · Sheet 10. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. . (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 a number of circular and sub-rectangular earthen building platforms, which probably date to the medieval period. Four earth platforms, set in pairs, are likely to represent the earliest phase of occupation. The smallest measures 9m by 5m and the largest 13m by 5m and all have been built at 90 degrees to the prevailing slope in order to provide flat bases for timber buildings. The fifth round platform has been set along the contour of the hill and retains the stone footings of a building apparently used as a barn during the 17th and 18th centuries. Two more sub-rectangular house platforms, abutting a relict field boundary, are located within the forestry.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval settlement. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the scheduled area may be expected to contain a wide range of archaeological information, including chronological detail and evidence in regard to construction techniques and agricultural methods. House platforms may be part of a larger cluster of settlement 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.
Nearby in the register
- Foel Fynyddau Round CairnRound Cairnunder 1 mi
- Pontrhydyfen ViaductTransportunder 1 mi
- Jerusalem ChapelReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Cwmafan copper works flueChimneyunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.