Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Settlement and Field System at Bron y Foel Uchaf
Dyffryn Ardudwy, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Unenclosed hut circle
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 21 November 1996
- Community
- Dyffryn Ardudwy
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.80510, -4.06374
- SAM number
- ME162
- Cadw record number
- 3872
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
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "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).
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 a palimpsest of early settlement from the Iron Age or Romano-British period (c. 800 BC - AD 400) through to medieval and possibly post-medieval times. The settlements include both circular and rectangular hut foundations as well as slightly larger rectangular foundations set on specially levelled platforms. Around these structures there is clear evidence for the fields which sustained the settlements.
Altogether, the monument can be subdivided into 5 archaeological items:
a) A small hut circle settlement of three huts
b) A single platform settlement
c) A settlement of small rectangular huts
d) A single platform house settlement
e) A field system including lynchets, low walls and clearance cairns.
The remains lie on an undulating upland plateau below the west side of the steep slopes of Moelfre amidst the irregular stone-walled fields characteristic of the Meirionnydd uplands.
The monument is of national importance because the field system is particularly well preserved and the association with a wide range of settlement types gives the monument significant archaeological potential. In addition, the proximity of wetland indicates that important environmental data may survive. The significance of the monument is also enhanced because of the existence of a significant number of other possibly related sites in the wider area.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Nearby in the register
- Field barn by Bron-y-foel-uchafAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- Bron-y-Foel West Burial ChamberChambered Long Cairnunder 1 mi
- Bron-y-foel-isafDomesticunder 1 mi
- Lofted stables at Bron-y-foel-isafAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.