The Gaer hillfort

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises an impressive small hillfort, probably dating to the Iron Age (c. 800 BC - 74 AD the Roman conquest of Wales) and situated on a locally prominent steep-sided knoll. A complete circuit of rampart encloses the uneven, rocky summit, measuring about 60m from NNW to SSE by 50m transversely overall. This rampart is terraced into the slope at the rear; it is spread to up to 2m in thickness and is up to 1m in height on its façade. A second rampart is visible about 10m further downslope, situated only where the slope is not particularly steep and predominantly visible on the S and W sides of the fort, where it has been terraced into the slope. This rampart is spread to up to 2.5m in thickness and is up to 1.5m in height on its façade and 0.2m in height on its rear. A track can be traced on the upper N-facing slopes of the hill, turning towards an entrance (c. 3m in width) on the NNE. Although no interior features are visible, this is a fine example of a small, easily defended hillfort.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider Iron Age context and the interior and ramparts themselves may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is circular and measures 100m in diameter.