The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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The Mount, Pen-y-Lan

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00005g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Michaelstone-y-fedw
Unitary authority : Newport
NGR : ST25858487
Site Type (preferred type first) : Iron Age HILLFORT
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
An Iron Age circular hillfort encircles the summit of a small hill which is situated in fairly low-lying ground, with no strong natural defences.

Description :
Earthwork encircles the summit of a small hill which is situated in fairly low-lying ground, with no strong natural defences. The enclosure is sited on the top of a low ridge and consists of a gently sloping bank or scarp around a flat interior. (Wiggins and Evans 2005)

The scheduled monument comprises the remains of a univallate hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period. The hillfort has been reduced by ploughing (Cadw MM133). The hillfort forms a circular enclosure of approximately 73m in diameter, with a single bank and ditch that have been reduced from ploughing in the 1970s and 1980s. Defences are bivallate or annexed. The enclosure is sited on the top of a low ridge and consists of a gently sloping bank or scarp around a flat interior. To the north is a bank with a maximum internal height of 0.3m, but with a maximum external height of 1.8m. Outside of this is a sloping berm followed by a gently sloping scarp with a maximum height of 1.5m. To the east is a scarp of 1.5m with a faint ditch, on the south a bank with an internal height similar to the north side and with an external height of 1.5m. To the east there is no external ditch, but on the west end it has a steeper bank and an external ditch with a depth of 1.2m. On the west side is a very low scarp and no external ditch. The defences to the north of the main enclosure may be interpreted as an annexe when looking at the aerial photos, although the RCAHMW survey of the monument does not support this theory - as the ends of the earthwork do not seem to curve inwards to enclose the area between, but instead tail off (Wiggins 2006).

Sources :
Cadw , Listed Buildings Description
Meek, J. , 2020 , Archaeological Desk Based Assessment: Wentlooge Levels Solar Farm, Newport, South Wales
Savory H.N. , 1950 , List of Hill-Forts and Other Earthworks in Wales: II Monmouthshire , The Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies : XIII pt.IV : 231-238
Wiggins, H , 2006 , Prehistoric defended enclosures in Gwent ( © GGAT)
Wiggins, H and Evans, E , 2005 , Prehistoric defended enclosures in Glamorgan with recommendations for fieldwork
01/MM Record Card/OS///1962/ST 28 SE 1/
04/MM Air Photo//West Air///Bv 1778/11/
03/PM List//Mow//1953/Ams Eng & Wales/136
02/PM Desc Text////1950/BBCS/13,235
08/MM AP/West Air Photography//BU 1778/11/
05/MM Photo/GGAT/Lewis/W/1980//
06/MM AP/GGAT/Parkhouse/J/10.2.86//
07/MM Desc Text/AM 107/Whittle/E/1987/
09/MM A-P/GGAT/Owen John/H/23.08.89/A92 17-19
10/MMAP/RCAHM/1992/925305-20

Events :
E001550 : Prehistoric defended enclosures Gwent (year : 2006)
E001914 : Field visit The Mount: Pen-y-Lan (year : 1962 )
E001915 : Field visit The Mount: Pen-y-Lan (year : 1987 )
E001916 : Field visit The Mount: Pen-y-Lan (year : 1991 )
E001917 : Field visit The Mount: Pen-y-Lan (year : 1999 )
E001918 : Field visit The Mount: Pen-y-Lan (year : 2004 )
E002240 : Wentloog House, Castleton, Newport DBA (year : 1997)
E008342 : Wentlooge Levels Solar Farm, Newport (year : 2020)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 307830 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/307830/details

Compiled date : 26-01-1988


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