Ancient Monuments

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Castle Bank Hillfort

A Scheduled Monument in Glascwm (Glasgwm), Powys

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Coordinates

Latitude: 52.1955 / 52°11'43"N

Longitude: -3.3372 / 3°20'13"W

OS Eastings: 308695

OS Northings: 256093

OS Grid: SO086560

Mapcode National: GBR YR.3W99

Mapcode Global: VH69V.32LR

Entry Name: Castle Bank Hillfort

Scheduled Date: 2 August 1993

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 496

Cadw Legacy ID: RD149

Schedule Class: Defence

Category: Hillfort

Period: Prehistoric

County: Powys

Community: Glascwm (Glasgwm)

Traditional County: Radnorshire

Description

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. Castle Bank is fine and well-preserved Iron Age hillfort, commanding a ridge running north-north-east to south-south-west in hills to the east of the Wye Valley. The fort comprises a main northern enclosure, which is elongated and measures c.290m externally north-south, and narrows from c.84m wide in the north to c.46m wide in the south. The rampart is represented by a line of stony scree on all sides except the east, where the steep natural slope appears to have provided sufficient defence. This scree stands up to c.1m high, and probably represents a collapsed stone rampart. A possible earlier southern line is visible 80m to the north of the southern defence; the western rampart deviates slightly at this point. The main fort is augmented by a further long, narrow enclosure to the south measuring c.130m by c.42m, presumably a later annexe. Numerous house platforms can be identified from aerial photographs in the northern fort; these are clearly visible on the ground in the north-eastern part of the area.

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.

Source: Cadw

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