Defended Enclosure 300m SE of Pentre

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument, also known as Castell Pentre, comprises the remains of a small defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 43). It is located above the break in slope on the SE-facing flank of Skybir Mountain. The enclosure is sub-circular in shape on plan and encloses an internal area measuring 50m in diameter. The earthen and stone defensive bank survives best on the N side where it measures 1.5m in height and 8m in width. Elsewhere the bank survives to 1m in height, except on the E side where it has been truncated by a modern road. An outer ditch is visible on the S and SE sides.

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 D-shaped on plan and measures 78m NNW-SSE by 67m transversely.