Dinas Fach Defended 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 a small defended enclosure, which dates to the Iron Age - Romano-British periods (c. 800 BC - AD 410). The enclosure is located on a long, low and cliff-girt coastal promontory at the bottom of a steep coastal slope. It is uneven and rocky in character and measures 100m N-S in length by 45m transversely. Steep sea cliffs on the W, S and E sides create a natural defensive circuit. The narrowest part of the promontory's neck on the N side measures 20m in width and is defended by a bank that measures 0.5m in height and 4m in width. The rock-cut ditch measures 2m in depth and 6m in width. The entrance is marked by a simple gap in the bank and a causeway over the ditch. The interior comprises a steeply sloping and E-facing area into which a number of curvilinear building platforms have been excavated. Investigation in 1939 produced Roman Samian ware and other occupation debris.

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 area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape on plan and measures 160m N-S by 45m transversely.