Corn Drying Kiln Near Carn-Gadell Uchaf

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 kiln for drying grain set into the slope of the hill, facing west. The kiln is roughly oval, measuring approximately 9m front to back by approximately 8m. The interior consists of a stone-lined hollow in a 'funnel' or 'cone' shape, narrowing towards the base, approximately 2.1m in diameter and approximately 1.9m deep. A passage or flue 0.82m high, 0.90m wide and approximately 2.6m long leads into the base of the cone from the centre of the downhill side. This flue is still covered with stone slabs or lintels, some of which are cracked, probably as a result of heating. On the uphill side of the kiln is a ledge which would have supported the platform on which the grain was spread for drying. The main structure of the kiln appears to be of rough stone rubble, with crude facing where needed (along the flue, around the interior and along the back ledge). Although it has been infilled to some extent with stone, timber and corrugated sheet, all the features mentioned are easy to appreciate on the ground; the site as a whole is very well preserved in a field grazed by sheep.

Despite the prevalence of corn-dryers in the past, relatively few of them survive in Wales to the present day and this particular example is exceptionally well preserved and an excellent example of the class. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of agricultural and manufacturing practices. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself 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.