Roman Practice Camps 190m W of Llyn Hiraethlyn

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

This monument comprises the remains of four well-preserved Roman practice camps that primarily survive as extant earthen banks and ditches with well-defined central entrances and associated tituli, or entrance shielding ditches. The camps were constructed as part of a military training exercise by auxiliary soldiers from the primary fort at Tomen-y-Mur. The camps demonstrate particular attention to the corners and entrances, which were the most difficult elements to build.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Roman military organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider context of the Roman occupation of Wales and the structures may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques, together with a strong probability of environmental evidence. The importance of the monument is further enhanced by the group value and association with the adjacent Roman Road (ME262) and Tomen-y-Mur fort and amphitheatre (ME002 & 078).

The area scheduled consists of four areas, one for each camp, comprising the remains described and an area around each within which related evidence may be expected to survive. The four scheduled areas are square in shape on plan and measure:
Camp A - 35 x 35m
Camp B - 28 x 27m
Camp C - 15 x 15m
Camp D - 24 x 24m.