Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Ceunant Egryn Enclosed Settlement
Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, Wales
A scheduled monument in Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, recorded as Enclosed hut circle (Prehistoric).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Enclosed hut circle
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 18 May 1989
- Community
- Dyffryn Ardudwy
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.76518, -4.06821
- SAM number
- ME099
- Cadw record number
- 271
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 LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1899 · 135 Harlech (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the scheduled monument.
The monument consists of the remains of a small settlement, probably of Iron Age or Romano-British date (c.800 BC - AD 400), situated in open rough pasture above a steep natural precipice which falls to the Ceunant Egryn stream to the south. A central hut circle lies within concentric defences, one side formed by a sheer drop to the stream and the other (N) scarped into the slope above and faced with walling. The remains of this wall now do not stand above the ground surface on the upper side, or barely, but there was probably once a free-standing wall above the retaining walling. There is little in the way of evidence for walling on the S, above the drop, and the ends of the wall seem to fade out before they reach the edge (although on the W the wall seems to turn towards the hut site before petering out), so there may have been little more than a fence or palisade on this side - or the stone has all fallen over the edge.
The interior evidently has been levelled to some extent, as is clear from the way the ground has been cut away at the back. The central hut circle, or perhaps more accurately, hut platform, can just be traced on the ground, but shows up more clearly on air photographs.
There is what appears to be a well-defined and perhaps ancient trackway passing the site on the N, which has the appearance of revetting along the lower side. The whole area is covered with field walls, some of which are likely to be contemporary with the site. There is an especially good field system stretching away to the W.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric settlement practices. It is an important relic of the prehistoric landscape and retains significant archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of environmental and structural evidence, including preserved internal and external floor levels.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Nearby in the register
- Pen y Ddinas CampHillfortunder 1 mi
- Settlement & Fields Systems above Egryn AbbeyHouse Platformunder 1 mi
- Ceunant Egryn Hut GroupEnclosed hut circleunder 1 mi
- Enclosed Hut Circle Settlement and Long huts E of Egryn AbbeyEnclosed hut circle settlementunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.