Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Ynys y Castell
Mathry, Pembrokeshire, Wales
A scheduled monument in Mathry, Pembrokeshire, recorded as Promontory Fort- coastal (Prehistoric).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Promontory Fort- coastal
- Period
- Prehistoric
- Community
- Mathry
- Unitary authority
- Pembrokeshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 51.96218, -5.12914
- SAM number
- PE038
- Cadw record number
- 3020
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1608 map "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1608 · (13) Cambriae Typus. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1637 · Particular description of Wales. Cambria seu Wallia (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1898 · 209 St David's (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 13. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
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 enclosure and possible settlement on a craggy tidal islet at the mouth of Abercastle Bay. The date or precise nature of the remains is unknown, but they are likely to be later prehistoric or medieval. The summit is enclosed by two lines of slight bank; one passing from cliff to cliff in a straight line on the north east and another, which is L- shaped, following the cliff top west before turning to cross to the cliff at the east. Within the enclosed area of about 30m square are traces of possible hut scoops whilst others are located on the slope to the south west including a larger indentation of c 12m x 8m known as 'Bedd Bys Sampson'.
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.
Nearby in the register
- Lime-Kiln between Coastal Slope & The BeachIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Telephone Call-box opposite Abercastle MillCommunicationsunder 1 mi
- Abercastle Mill/Felin AbercastellIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Carreg Samson Burial ChamberChambered Tombunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.