Gwynedd Archaeological
Trust Regional Historic Environment Record
Din Sylwy or Bwrdd Arthur Hillfort, Llanddona
Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 2595 Trust : Gwynedd Community : Llanddona Unitary authority : Ynys Mon NGR : SH58638146 Site Type (preferred type first) : PREHISTORIC HILLFORT Status : Site of Special Scientific Interest
Summary : Din Sylwy, or Bwrdd Arthur, in Llanddona, is sited on a steep-sided flat-topped hill and is visible from the surrounding area. It is thought, from the finds evidence, that the hillfort was probably built in the Iron Age, and re-occupied later on in the Roman period. This is typical for many Welsh hillforts.
The man-made defences consist of one wide stone wall with an average thickness of nearly 2.5m. The wall was faced on both sides with upright limestone slabs, and had a rubble core, but it has since been destroyed by quarrying to the south and east. There were originally two entrances: one can be found to the south, the other to the west. The 4.5m wide southern entrance was the most important, and is approached by a defined trackway. The defences at this entrance consist of an inward curve in the western wall, and an arrangement of upright stones. There may have been a third entrance to the west. The interior of Din Sylwy has not been excavated, and traces of possible buildings have been confined to the area close to the wall.
Finds suggest that the hillfort was occupied during the Roman period, but also before and possibly after this. They include Roman pottery, much of which has been dated to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, and a number of coins. A hoard of coins and other metal objects were recovered from the hillfort in 1831. The coins included issues by Nero, Vespasian, Constantius and Constantine. Other finds from molehills in the interior included Iron Age type ring-headed pins which are dated to 300-200 BC, which are rare finds from Wales.
Description : Hillfort, known as Din Sylwy or Bwrdd Arthur, on a flat hill surrounded by a wall of limestone blocks with vague indications of a number of hut sites, and on the S the remains of a semi-circular enclosure some 18yds across attached to the main wall. (RCAHMW, 1937)
These 'hill cites' were founded in C2nd AD, probably between the first and second occupations of Segontium. While capable of defence they appear rather as a native attempt to imitate towns of the more civilised lowland tribes erected under Roman influence. Condition good but demanded and overgrown in parts. Main period of occupation is suggested by coins ranging from Nero to Constantinius: pottery etc of late C3rd and C4th and native coarse ware carrying an Iron Age tradition. <2>
Both names of the site are in common use, site as described by RCAHM. Vague indications of a number of huts sites too indistinct for identification or survey. Published survey (25inch) revised <3>
Coin hoard supposedly found in this locality - PRN 1596.
A hilltop camp of about 20 acres surrounded by a natural scarp of almost perpendicular limestone cliffs between 20ft and 50ft high. The area slopes at a sharp angle towards NE. Traces of three entrances. Top of natural scarp is crowned by a rough stone wall 3-4 ft thick, each side being marked by a line of megalithic slabs set in the ground. The interior is rough pasture overgrown with gorse and undergrowth. Chance finds include fragments of late Romano-British pottery and coarse native ware apparently of the same date. <4>
See also <6>
Site visit to ascertain whether the reported recent metal detector activity has been carried out. No disturbances could be seen which could be directly attributed to such activity. <7>
Hoe found on E side - S. Rees preparing note. <8>
R-B spade-shoe found by RSK, 27.9.88, and sent for conservation at UCNW. S. Rees again to write note see F.I. File. <9> (Kelly 1990)
A very large hillfort on a flat-topped hill surrounded by natural scarps also defended by a substantially-built stone wall faced externally and internally and with two simple entrances. No certain internal buildings have been identified although there are numerous, probably natural low terraces. The site is now becoming overgrown with scrub so aerial photography or geophysics is unlikely to be productive There have been no excavations but there are casual finds of a coin hoard and pottery indicating occupation in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD and metal detectorist finds of ironwork indicating occupation as early as the 3rd-2nd centuries BC (Lynch 1991, 260-1). (Smith, 2005)
The natural scarp provides the main defence as there are no ditches, and the enclosure wall is only c.2.5m wide and can never have been of any great height. The entrances are likewise simple. The site as a whole therefore is more like a large defended enclosure than a true hillfort and perhaps an oppidum. The absence of houses identifiable as such is odd because settlement remains in the limestone areas are usually substantial and easily identifiable. (Smith, 2005)
“This is a vast camp covering the oblong sloping table-land of the extremity of a limestone ridge in the parish of Llanfihangel Tyn Sylwy. It rises in fact immediately above the church to the west, and formed a place of refuge, not only for men, but probably for cattle. Towards the south and west there is a fence of upright thin slabs of stone, and other stones standing close together, such as would prevent the passage of any sheep, cow or horse, though not of men.” (Longueville Jones, 1854).
Diagram and illustration of Din Sylwy Hillfort (President's Address, 1881).
Events : 42477 : Prn 2595 Gat Site Visit (year : 1990) 42479 : Prn 2595 Gat Site Visit (year : 1988) 40621 : Prehistoric Defended Enclosures in North-west Wales, 2004-5: West Conwy, Gwynedd (Arfon) and Anglesey (year : 2005) 44557 : Early Celtic Societies in North Wales (year : 2010) 45042 : Iron Age Settlements in Wales: Cadw Defended Enclosures Publication. Hillforts and Hut Groups in North-West Wales. (year : 2008) 40620 : Prehistoric Defended Enclosures: Scoping for Pan-Wales Assessment (year : 2003)
