Caer, Bayvil

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 74, the Roman conquest of Wales) and which saw later use as an early medieval cemetery. The enclosure occupies a slightly elevated position in a undulating landscape and measures c 55m north to south by 40m east to west; it is defined by low scarps on the north and west and by the remains of a bank and ditch on the south and east. The simple entrance is on the south. Excavation in 1979 revealed multiphase occupation; an initial enclosure defined by parallel palisade trenches was superseded by the ditched & bank circuit still partially visible, the bank was stone-revetted internally. Associated with these late prehistoric phases were possible hut circle gullies and artifactual evidence, however the enclosure had been filled by grave-cuts, generally oriented east-west, some containing cists; a skeletal fragment yielded an uncalibrated radio-carbon date centring on the 7th century AD.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement and of early medieval burial practices. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential.

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