Description

The monument comprises the remains of a hillfort which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74).

The hillfort is situated on a hilltop on the west side of the Rhondda valley. To the south, north and east the slopes of the hill are steep; to the west there is only a slight drop. The site consists of a series of turf covered curving banks encircling the hilltop. The outer one - bank (b) and (c) curves round the edge of the hill top on the north, west and south sides. In the south (b) it is about 1m high, 3m wide; on the south-west side there is a gap, 1m wide and 0.5m deep. On the west side (c) the bank is well preserved: it is steep sided, 1.5m high on the outside, 0.5m high on the inside. Outside it is a ditch, c. 1m wide 0.3m deep, which runs along the north-west side for a few metres and then peters out. On the north side the bank is lower - 0.5m - 1m high - and there are alot of stones scattered on the slopes below it. On the north-east side a trench cuts across the bank, 3m long, x 1m wide. This is full of stones. Beyond it, to the south-east, the bank peters out. Running parallel to the outer bank on its north-east, north and north-west sides, inside it, is a very low bank, c.3m wide and 0.2m high, turf covered, but with lots of stones on the surface. Inside this again is another, higher bank (a), which curves round, starting on the west side, in an inverted S shape, petering out at both ends. It is 4m wide and 1 - 1.5m high and turf covered. On the northern and western section a number of small holes have been dug into it, and on the north-east side a U shaped structure of stones, the walls c.1m wide and 0.3m high, has been built against the outer side of the bank. In the middle of the area enclosed by this bank is a hole, 2 x 1m x 0.3m deep, with stones in it.

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