Moel Offrwm Lower Camp

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

On a summit on the south-western flank of Moel Offrwm is a small hillfort, probably dating to the Iron Age or Romano-British period.

A single ruinous dry-built wall encloses a roughly oval area about 54m east-west by 34m north-south. It rises to the centre in a bare dome of rock. The wall around the W side follows the edge of a narrow grassy shelf, much lower than the level of the rest of the fortified area. On the NE and SE sides there is an earth and stone rampart, built 10-15m from the base of the rocky knoll. The defences are strongest on the S, where there is the least natural protection. A section of well-built wall facing, possibly exposed during excavations, can be traced here and the entrance was in the middle of this side. There are traces of an inner ditch which, linked with a marshy area on the E, was incorporated into the defences.

Excavations in 1926/8 proved the entrance was out-turned. On a natural citadel within the area were discovered the remains of a cairn which may have been older than the fort, possibly denuded during its construction. Finds included a bronze finger ring and sherds of pottery, thought to be Romano-British.

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.