Cae Gaer

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the scheduled monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a Roman fort, probably dating from the early stages of the Flavian conquest of Wales in the first century AD (probably around AD 74 - 77). The fort is situated on a level plateau of land enclosed on three sides by the steep hills of Llechwedd Lywyd, Peraidd Fynydd and Bryn Lychese, and to the north by the Afon Tarennig. Three small streams flow along the eastern, western and northern sides of the fort, while there is a large area of bog to the south. The fort itself comprises a parallelogram-shaped enclosure with rounded corners measuring 110m N/S by 85m E/W. Entrances were located in the middle of both the northern and southern sides. Excavations in 1913 revealed that the fort defences comprised a large clay and turf-built internal bank with an external ditch and counterscarp bank. The inner bank was up to 5m wide and 1.5m high with a substantial wooden palisade running along the crest of the bank, identified through the remains of postholes. Posthole evidence also suggested that there had been gatehouses at each entrance and possibly angle towers in each corner. The remains of a stone floor of a possible hut were identified in the interior of the fort. Immediately outside the rampart on the southern side of the fort a levelled area with a compact surface has been interpreted as the remains of a parade ground. The lack of Roman-period finds recovered during the excavation suggests that it may not have been occupied for long, while its small size suggests that it would have housed an under-strength garrison rather than the normal auxiliary infantry cohort of 500 men.

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, building techniques and functional detail.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.