Multi-period Settlement Remains at Cae Merddyn, S of Bwlch-y-Ffordd

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 an Iron Age or Romano-British period (c.800 BC - AD 400) hut circle settlement situated on a level shelf above the steep, east side of the Afon Eden valley, NNE of Coed y Brenin Forest. The remains include an enclosed settlement of four hut circles, two unenclosed hut circles and traces of one or two terraced fields. There are also the remains of later agricultural activity within the scheduled area including an agricultural clearance cairn, and an oval stone structure, the site of a hayrick supported by low walls.

The enclosed settlement consists of three huts circles in a NW to SE line, probably forming one side of a rectangular courtyard, with the remains of a fourth hut circle conjoined with the N side of the south-easternmost hut circle. The N boundary of the courtyard appears to underlie the later field wall. A considerable quantity of stone has been piled onto the site since its abandonment, making the precise arrangement difficult to interpret. The hut circles appear to be sub-angular rather than round, with walls of piled stones up to 1m high and 1.5m wide. The internal measurements of the three main hut circles vary in size, measuring 9m, 6m and 5m from SE-NW. To the S and W of the enclosed settlement, outcrops of rock aligned roughly N-S have been enlarged by the addition of stones, forming revetments with level areas behind them interpreted as terraced fields. A further two hut circles have been identified: sixteen metres SE of the enclosed settlement is a hut circle approximately 7m in diameter internally, with walls 1m high and 2.5m wide and six metres NW of the enclosed settlement, on sloping ground, is another hut circle with a stepped interior measuring approximately 6m in diameter.

Later agricultural activity is also evident on site with the remains of a rectangular-shaped clearance cairn, measuring 7m x 3.5m, which has been created in the N of the scheduled area where stones have been piled around a natural outcrop or glacial boulders. To the WSW is an oval structure that has been interpreted as the site of a hayrick, consisting of two low, slightly curved, opposing stone walls with gaps at either end. This structure is oriented ENE to WSW, measures 14m by 8m and lies on ground that slopes up towards the WSW; these features are of uncertain date.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric and Roman period settlement and agricultural practices. It is an important relic of a prehistoric landscape and retains significant archaeological potential, including the possibility of preserved internal floor levels within the hut circles.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It comprises the whole of the field called Cae Merddyn or Murddun (field of ruins), is irregular in shape and measures 146m N-S by 139m transversely, it is centred on NGR 272144, 328097. Originally designated in 1965, the scheduled area has been positively revised (2026) to include additional associated features noted at inspection.