Camp Pen-y-Gelli (revealed by aerial photography)

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument consists of the remains of a defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period, (c.800BC – AD74, the Roman Conquest of Wales).

The monument is identified from aerial photography and geophysical survey only, with no evidence visible on the ground. Camp Peny-Gelli takes the form of a complex, sub-square enclosure 125m N-S x 125m. In the south there are four concentric ditches, individually up to 4m wide. Three ditches only are visible in the north. There is a possible entrance, 4m wide, in the external ditch in the east. A further unscheduled enclosure lies 20-30m to the west.

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 in 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.