Description

The monument consists of the remains of a crannog, probably dating to the early medieval period (AD 800 - AD 900). A crannog is an island, partly or wholly artificial, built up by dumping timber, earth and stones onto a lake or river bed. The Llangorse crannog is a small tree covered island 40m from the north shore of the lake. In summer the site comprises a stony roughly rectangular mound 30m N/S by 40m E/W protruding up to 0.8m above the water line. In winter the site is often completely submerged. The site was first investigated in the 1860s and again in the 1990s. The excavations revealed that the site had been built by driving oak piles up to 1m into the clays of the lake and then infilling the central area with boulders, timbers and brushwood to form the artificial island. Finds from the crannog include fine metalwork which indicate the high status of the site. Documentary evidence points to the site being a royal residence of the Kings of Brycheiniog, who originated in Ireland where crannogs are common. Llangorse is the only confirmed crannog site in Wales.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric settlement organisation. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques, together with a strong probability of environmental evidence.

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

Source: Cadw