Castell Tre-Riffith

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 defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 43). The remains consist of a horse-shoe shaped bank 2m external height, 0.7m high internally extending c 70 m north east to south west across a knoll and turning on cliffs at north and south originally protecting a narrow promontory. The entrance may have been at the south east. Most of the enclosed area, the promontory itself, has eroded away and been lost to the sea and the remainder is suffering severe rotational slumping and original ground surfaces are likely to have almost completely gone.

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, layout, 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.