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Rath south of St James Church

A Scheduled Monument in Walwyn's Castle (Castell Gwalchmai), Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro)

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.7579 / 51°45'28"N

Longitude: -5.0836 / 5°5'1"W

OS Eastings: 187280

OS Northings: 211076

OS Grid: SM872110

Mapcode National: GBR G4.VJYW

Mapcode Global: VH1RQ.T2VR

Entry Name: Rath S of St James Church

Scheduled Date: 7 June 1950

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 348

Cadw Legacy ID: PE189

Schedule Class: Defence

Category: Rath

Period: Prehistoric

County: Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro)

Community: Walwyn's Castle (Castell Gwalchmai)

Traditional County: Pembrokeshire

Description

The monument comprises a small defended enclosure or rath, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (800 BC - 43 AD). Usually enclosed by a bank and ditch, raths often contsin evidence of intensive occupation. Extending to the north-east of the main bank is an oval-shaped terrace 75m by 60m, whose outer bank rises to 2m at its north-east corner where stone work is visible. There are linear earthworks visible on top of the terrace. To the south of the square motte or stronghold is a large flat field with very steeply scarped sides which may have acted as a second bailey to the medieval castle or been a secure infield to the earlier prehistoric site.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Iron Age settlement and social organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric landscape. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

Source: Cadw

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