Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.

Castell Pyr

A Scheduled Monument in Llanfihangel-ar-Arth (Llanfihangel-ar-arth), Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)

We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.

Coordinates

Latitude: 52.0373 / 52°2'14"N

Longitude: -4.2332 / 4°13'59"W

OS Eastings: 246916

OS Northings: 240006

OS Grid: SN469400

Mapcode National: GBR DK.FW1H

Mapcode Global: VH3KR.K2X1

Entry Name: Castell Pyr

Scheduled Date:

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 2769

Cadw Legacy ID: CM081

Schedule Class: Defence

Category: Promontory Fort - inland

Period: Prehistoric

County: Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)

Community: Llanfihangel-ar-Arth (Llanfihangel-ar-arth)

Traditional County: Carmarthenshire

Description

The monument comprises a promontory fort that probably dates from the Iron Age (c. 800 BC - 43 AD). It is triangular in shape and occupies a plateau overlooking the confluence of the rivers Teifi and Nant Cwm-du, the steep natural slopes of which define the N and SW sides of the fort respectively. The defences on the E side consist of two ramparts. The outer bank measures up to c. 4m tall and 110m long. The inner bank measures c. 2m tall and 90m long. The outer ditch measures 3m wide by 1.5-2m deep. The area between the two banks has the appearance of a ditch at the N end, but lessens as the banks diverge to the S. The fort's entrance is located at the N end of the defences. The enclosure measures c. 76m E-W by 73 N-S, but no surface features can be observed.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric defensive and settlement practices. The monument is well preserved and is an important relic of the prehistoric landscape. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of archaeological materials and structural evidence beneath the current ground surface.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is an irregular polygon in shape and measures 165m N-S by 185m transversely.

Source: Cadw

Other nearby scheduled monuments

AncientMonuments.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact AncientMonuments.uk for any queries related to any individual ancient or schedued monument, planning permission related to scheduled monuments or the scheduling process itself.

AncientMonuments.uk is a Good Stuff website.