Description

The monument comprising an extensive area of landscape encompassing the remains of two hillforts probably dating to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Of these the larger known as Y Gaer Fawr occupies the summit of a foothill ridge south east of Mynydd Du and commands extensive views north, east and south west. The smaller fort known as Y Gaer Fach is situated on a subsidiary summit a short distance to the east. Y Gaer Fawr is a very large stone-walled later prehistoric type hillfort and is the largest in south-west Wales. The walls enclose an area of about 11ha, roughly 680m north-east to south-west by 130-190m, the main entrances facing north-east and south-west towards the gentler slopes along the ridge are now partly concealed by collapse within the stony ramparts. A striking feature of Y Gaer Fawr are the remains of at least eight additional narrow 'postern' gates , constructed of upright stone slabs probably all originally roofed with stone lintels. A large annex branches out on the north side of the hillfort which once continued eastward to connect with the north-east corner of the fort. Within the interior is at least one hut circle located centrally behind the south east rampart represented by a level platform about 14m in diameter. About 25m to the north of this are two roughly rectangular stone structures, these are thought to represent a medieval house and fold, the larger measures 25m x 9m and the other 14m x 8m. Also within the fort on the natural crag of the summit is a large stone cairn which probably dates to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC) and which measures c 55m long, 20m wide and 3m high. Ascending c 60m from the hollow to the north west of Y Gaer Fawr is a walled trackway which forms an outward extension of the entrance to the second fort Y Gaer Fach, an oval enclosure of about 1.5ha, roughly 168m east-west by 115m defended by a single stone wall, except on the west side where a second rampart overlaps and runs parallel to produce a narrow corridor. South east of the hillforts on the ridge slope there are a series of enclosures and roundhouses which may be farmsteads of prehistoric date and Bronze Age cairn reported to have held a cist with traces of a cremation.

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