Pen y Gyrn Roman Road

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the well-preserved earthwork remains of a section of Roman road between Caer Gai and Caersws. The earthwork demonstrates two contrasting Roman road engineering techniques: a well-preserved agger, or raised embankment with roadside ditches and a section of terrace road climbing a hillside. The road measures 1200m in length and the agger is up to 4m wide and up to 0.5m in height, with the road aligned NW-SE. The primary Roman road network was designed and constructed by the Roman army for the purpose of military conquest and rule. Roads were built and used throughout Roman Britain from the mid 1st century AD onwards. In Wales, the majority of the Roman road network dates from the Flavian-Trajanic conquest and garrison (between AD 74 and AD 117).

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 structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology and building techniques.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is linear and measures 1200m NW-SE by 35m transversely. The S end is located at NGR SH 89753 28467 and the N end is located at SH 89152 29486.