Pentre Camp

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 hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Hillforts are usually located on hilltops and surrounded by a single or multiple earthworks of massive proportions. Hillforts must have formed symbols of power within the landscape, while their function may have had as much to do with ostentation and display as defence. Pentre Camp comprises a sub-circular hillfort. The north side is situated on steep, wooded slopes; the south side is situated in pasture. The average diameter measures 120m, with the original entrance on the W side. On the north side the defences consist of 2 terraces below steeply scarped slopes. The terraces measure between 2-4m wide and the scarps measure c. 3-4.5m high. These are covered in deciduous woodland. On the east side the camp defences consist of an inner bank C. 0.5-1m high on inside fence, and well-preserved section of ditch c 3m below rampart. On the SW and SE sides the defences consist of twin ditches with a medial rampart. The ditches are slight and on the SW the inner ditch has probably been ploughed out. The inner slope rises to a max height of c3.0m to the interior.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating 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.