Afon Cynfal Deserted Rural Settlement

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises the well preserved remains of five, possibly six rectangular long huts clustered closely together on a small terrace beside the Afon Cynfal. The buildings are defined by low stone walls and stone and earth banks and measure on average 12m x 6m. The complex nature of the site, whereby some buildings overlie others, suggests a long period of occupation with different phases of construction taking place, the earliest possibly dating to the medieval period. The latest phase of use is represented by a sheep fold, probably built using stones taken from the earlier buildings.

The settlement is notable for the variety of structures surviving and their good state of preservation. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval settlement. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the scheduled area may be expected to contain a wide range of archaeological information, including chronological detail and evidence in regard to construction techniques and agricultural methods. The potential for surviving internal and external floor levels is very good, as is the possibility of organic preservation in the wet conditions. Rectangular huts may be part of a larger cluster of settlement and their importance can be 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.