Coed y Defaid 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 a univallate hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). The hillfort is situated on a hilltop to the W of Newport and is roughly circular, 95m in diameter, with a single bank and outer ditch. The interior is flat and slopes gently towards the S. In the middle of the E side is a gap in the bank 3m wide and 1.6m deep. There is a corresponding causeway across the ditch. The bank has an external height of 2.5m and an internal height of 1m S of the gap and 2m N of it. The ditch is 1.5m deep. Along the N side the bank has an internal height of 2m and an external height of 3m. The ditch is 1-2m deep. On the NW side the internal height of the bank is 1m and the ditch is 0.5m deep. The bank is very steep-sided here. The W side is similar with a narrow gap in the bank 2m wide. On the S side the bank has an internal height varying from 0.5 to 1.5m and an external height of 2.2m. The ditch is 1.4m deep and has many fallen dead trees in it. Outside the ditch is a low bank with an external height of 0.2m. The hillfort has recently suffered extensive damage with much of the SW quarter destroyed.

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.