Caer Einon Camp

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 hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Hillforts are usually located on hilltops and surrounded by a single or multiple earthworks of massive proportions. Hillforts must have formed symbols of power within the landscape, while their function may have had as much to do with ostentation and display as defence. Caer Einion encloses an area measuring c.100m north-south by c.70m on a south-facing promontory with strong natural defences on the east and west and around the southern tip. On the weaker north a total of three lines of artificial defences can be seen, constructed of stone which is now partially turfed in places. The innermost of these follows the contours, and, while it stands up to c.2m high across the neck of the promontory, it nonetheless appears to continue in a much slighter form, turf-covered, all the way around the hilltop. There is a simple, slightly inturned entrance in the middle of the more substantial northern stretch. Outside this, to the north, a further bank of similar scale running across the neck of the promontory appears to add complexity to the entrance arrangements; at its western end it curls around towards the south to meet the inner bank near its western end, but then moves gradually northwards away from it, curving round at its eastern end to a north-eastward facing inturned entrance; south of this it again merges with the inner bank at the start of the steeper slopes. About 20m to the north-west a third, rather slighter bank also blocks the easiest approach to the site; this may have been intended to channel approaching traffic towards the north-east facing entrance just described. Several hut positions have been noted in the south-western part of the interior.

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, building techniques and functional detail.

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