Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Hut Circle Settlement at Gelli Gonan
Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales
A scheduled monument in Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, recorded as Unenclosed hut circle (Prehistoric).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Unenclosed hut circle
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Date of designation
- 20 May 1998
- Community
- Ffestiniog
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.99140, -3.94958
- SAM number
- ME173
- Cadw record number
- 1513
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 · 119 Snowdon (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 comprises the remains of a hut circle settlement that probably dates to the Iron Age or Romano-British period (c.800 BC - AD 400). It consists of the foundations of four hut circles and some associated enclosures or yards. Also present in close proximity to the earlier structures is a rectangular hut representing later occupation or continuity of use of the site, likely to date from the medieval period or earlier.
The settlement lies on the approximately level top of a low ridge within a valley between Tanygrisiau and Blaenau Ffestiniog and was probably not a defensive site. Whilst long views especially to the south-west along the Afon Barlwyd valley are important, the significant views would have been medium and short over the fields farmed from the settlement, also primarily to the south-west.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric domestic construction practices. The monument retains significant archaeological potential and there is a strong probability that structural evidence has survived, together with internal and external floor surfaces, both within the huts and in the associated yards.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Nearby in the register
- Moelwyn MillIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Moelwyn MillhouseIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Old Market HallCivilunder 1 mi
- CraigbachDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.