Vaynor Gaer

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, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales) and which occupies the summit of a rounded spur from which land falls steeply away on all sides except the northwest where there is rising ground. It comprises a single bank, ditch and counterscarp bank enclosing an area c 95m north east to south west by 65m south east to north west. The bank stands to up to to 0.25m internally and 1.6m to 2m externally above the well-marked ditch. The counterscarp bank is best preserved to the east and north where it underlies a hedge-bank. A simple north east might perhaps have been more complex before damage noted in 1870. Indications of occupation have been observed in the interior, where 'burnt earth and daub' were observed after ploughing in 1960.

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.