Blackwood Enclosure

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises the remains of an earthwork/stone-built enclosure. The date or precise nature of the enclosure is unknown, but it is likely to be later prehistoric or medieval. Blackwood Enclosure is an oval, bivallate hilltop enclosure, visible as earthworks and as a parchmark. The inner enclosure is visible for most of its circuit, being incorporated into a fieldbank on the south and visible as a low earthwork on the north. This becomes a substantial bank with 2m external height, 30cm internal on the south west, where woodland has prevented cultivation on the south west. The outer bank is some 1.8m high and there is apparently a third bank here, which, however is not apparent elsewhere. The main outer bank is visible as a low earthwork on the north and west, but is apparent only as a parchwork on east and south. Aerial photographs suggest an impressive internal entrance on the east.

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.