Rosemarket Rath

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises a large defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (800 BC - 43 AD). It is located at the S end of the village of Rosemarket on a S-facing inland promontory above the confluence of two streams. The enclosure is oval in shape on plan and the interior measures 130m E - W by 95m transversely. The inner face of the defensive bank measures between 0.15 - 0.6m in height above the interior. Steep natural slopes, which may have been accentuated artificially, protect the enclosure on the E, S and W sides. An inner bank, ditch and outer bank defend the N side, which collectively measure 20m in width. These are best preserved on the NW side where the inner and outer banks rise to 2 - 2.6m and 1.6 - 2m in height above the ditch respectively. Traces of the ditch appear to survive on the W side.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Iron Age settlement and social organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric landscape. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is an irregular polygon in shape and measures 175m E-W by 150m transversely.