Cairns, Settlements & Field Systems of Prehistoric & Medieval date at Pennant above Nant Esgeiriau

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a ring cairn of earth and stone, which probably date to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC). The site as whole provides a commentary of land use from the Bronze Age to the post medieval period and consists; of two ring cairns, a hut circle and associated field enclosure, banks and a sheep fold. The larger and northern cairn is defined by three concentric rings of stone banks 19m in diameter and 0.3m in height. The second smaller ring lies a little to the south and is 6m in diameter. A post-medieval sheep fold lies between the cairns and an extensive system of enclosures and field banks associated with a hut circle 13m in diameter.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. The feature is an important relic of a prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape and retains significant archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of both intact ritual and burial deposits, together with environmental and structural evidence. Ring cairns may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

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