The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Mynydd y Gaer Hillfort, Coychurch Higher

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00383m
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Coychurch Higher
Unitary authority : Bridgend
NGR : SS97358495
Site Type (preferred type first) : Iron Age Hillfort
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
Apart from minor mutilation it is in good condition & consists of a pronounced bank with outer ditch forming an enclosure of generally sub-circular form.

Description :
Apart from minor mutilation it is in good condition & consists of a pronounced bank with outer ditch forming an enclosure of generally sub-circular form.

The earthwork stands at about 230m above OD, on the end of a spur projecting SE from Mynydd y Gaer. The ground falls away on all sides except the NW, but not steeply, so that the position is not naturally strong although it commands an extensive view in all directions. The area is 1ha, enclosed by a strong bank and ditch with a counterscarp bank, measuring about 20m wide by 3m high overall where best preserved. The bank seems to be mainly of earth, and no revetment is visible. It has been set out in straight sections, forming an irregular polygon, apparently of twelve sides though damage makes this uncertain. The entrance seems to have been on the S; E of this gap the rampart has an inturn of about 10m, though it is very much worn down by cultivation. Although the wide gap on the E shows no remaining trace of rampart or ditch it seems likely that it is a modern break, rather than that the enclosure was unfinished. A gap of similar size has been partly levelled on the NW, and there are other minor breaks, but the ramparts are generally well preserved. The interior is now pasture, but has been cultivated.
An exceptionally large field-bank runs SW from the fort, but it seems later, forming part of a group of abandoned field enclosures probably of no great age. (Wiggins and Evans 2005)

Sources :
Savory H.N. & Nash-Williams V.E. , 1949 , List of Hill-Forts and other Earthworks , The Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies : XIII pt.3 : 157-
Wiggins, H and Evans, E , 2005 , Prehistoric defended enclosures in Glamorgan with recommendations for fieldwork
Zienkiewicz, L. , 2001 , Cadairfarch Farm, Rhiwceiliog, Pencoed, Bridgend. HE 2 archaeological Fram Visit Report
07/Desc Text/Cadw/Full Management Report/2005/Copy in further information file
01/PM List/RCHM//1976/Glam Invent/No.637;
02/MM Record Card/OS//1959/SS 98 SE 1/;
03/PM Desc Text//Savory H.N/1949/Bull Board Celtic Stud/Vol.13 p160;
05/MM Desc Text/Cadw/Whittle E/1986/AM 107
04/MM Record Card/OS//1980/SS 98 SE 1/;
01/Pm desc text/GGAT 67 Tir Gofal/1999-2000/CCW Tir Gofal HE2 data/S15001950
08/Desc Text/Cadw/Full Management Report /01/02/2008/Copy in further information file.

Events :
E001455 : Prehistoric defended enclosures in Glamorgan (year : 2005)
E002606 : Cadairfarch Farm, Rhiwceiliog, Pencoed. Tir Gofal: HE2 (year : 2001)
E002607 : Cadairfarch Farm, Rhiwceiliog, Pencoed. Tir Gofal: HE2 (year : 2001)
E006741 : Land at Former Llanilid Open Cast Coal Site, Llanharen (year : 2020)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 300096 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/300096/details

Compiled date : 01-03-1977


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