Pen-Toppen-Ash Camp

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 three earthwork/stone-built enclosures. The date or precise nature of the southern and central enclosures is unknown, but they are likely to be later prehistoric or medieval. The southern enclosure comprises a roughly circular area encircled by a single bank up to 2.5 m high. It is 95m in diameter with a flat interior. The central enclosure is roughly circular with outer and inner banks separated by a 3m wide ditch on the north-western side where there is a section of double external ditch. The enclosure is 150m in diameter with a flat interior and the banks survive to a maximum external height of 1.5m and a maximum internal height of 0.8m. The northern enclosure is comprised of buried features and earthworks associated with a Roman fort. The fort consists of a flat rectangular area measuring 105m northwest/southeast and 95m northeast/southwest surrounded by a scarp or bank. On the northeastern side is a 12m wide bank, 0.5m high, with a faint external ditch. At the northern end is a clear right angle corner, c. 1m high.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric and Roman defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and the wider context of the Roman occupation of Wales. 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.