Aaron Brute's Level and Iron Bridge

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 coal and ironstone level excavated on an outcrop of the Old Coal Seam and the Bottom Vein ironstone by Aaron Brute, some time between 1812 and 1818. He was a stonemason, mining and building contractor, and Calvinistic Methodist preacher, who also built on the adjacent Brute’s Road both apparently on his own freehold land. He is a characteristic example of the breed of small contractors who played a central role in the development of South Wales. The arched mouth of the level was formed by dressed stone voussoirs. The main heading rans south-west with two side headings to the south. A cutting ran north-east from the level mouth to an iron tramroad bridge. The bridge was built before 1832 and associated with the level. The level was disused by 1843. The bridge, abutments and weir underwent extensive restoration in 2013.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance and illustrate our knowledge and understanding of 18th and 19th century industrial activity. It is also important for being a dated early iron and coal level and tramroad bridge associated with a named individual who is himself of some intrinsic interest. A level may be part of a larger cluster of industrial monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.