Moel Offrwm Camp

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a hillfort, probably dating to the Iron Age (c.800 BC to AD74 the Roman conquest of Wales). The site is exposed but has very wide views in all directions, especially to the NW, N and NE.

The main fort/camp is roughly circular with an internal diameter of about 95m. It was surrounded by a stone wall following the edge of the steep drop from the summit, but this wall has been almost destroyed on the W, N and NE sides, with material lying as scattered scree down the slopes. On the S and SE sides, where the mountain projects in a long, level-topped spur, the defences were larger, and a second, outer wall was added across the neck. There is a small, and weak, rock-cut ditch at the foot of the fallen material on the SW side.

The entrance is to the E and leads up in a straight line into the camp through the two walls which form the defences at that point. It is very much mutilated, but apparently both the inner and outer walls were in-turned. Guard-chambers have been postulated but the remains are insufficiently clear to substantiate this, and a sheepfold obscures the original layout. There are a number of hut-circle depressions and platforms in the interior. A solid, square structure on the highest point of the settlement is probably the remains of an eye-catcher built as a Nannau estate feature: various forms of these are numerous throughout the estate.

An attempt has been made to enclose the ridge at the S to create an annexe about 90m long and 60m wide. It is partly surrounded by very slight banks and ditches, clearest at the S end.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric settlement and defence. 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.

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