Hut Circle Settlement at Gelli Gonan

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.