Banc Du Neolithic Enclosure

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 enclosure, which dates to the Early - Middle Neolithic period (fourth millennium BC). It is located on a S-facing spur of Cerrig Lladron and overlooks the Afon Syfnwy. The monument comprises of inner and outer enclosures. The smaller inner enclosure is oval in shape on plan and measures 200m in length (E-W) by 150m transversely. The outer enclosure is accreted on to the inner enclosure's NW side and increases the monument's overall dimensions to 300m in length (NW-SE) by 230m transversely. The enclosures survive as low earthworks comprising a single rampart around the N and W sides, which measure between 0.1-0.3m in height. There are traces of an external ditch on the enclosure banks on the NW side. On the S and E sides there is a double rampart created by the scarping of the natural slope, which measures between 0.2-1.5m in height. There is evidence of extensive ridge and furrow cultivation of likely medieval / post-medieval date across and to the NW of the site.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric ceremonial practices. The monument is an important relic of the Neolithic landscape and retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of intact archaeological deposits, together with paleo-environmental and structural evidence. An evaluation trench excavated across the N side of the inner rampart in 2005 revealed that the rampart measured 3.8m in width and survived to 0.4m in height. Postholes within the rampart suggest internal timber lacing. The outer ditch measured 2.8m in width and 1m in depth. Radiocarbon dates from the initial silts that accumulated in the ditch show that it was open around 3,650 BC.

The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is roughly oval in shape and measures 400m WNW-ESE by 280m transversely.