The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Coed y Bwnydd Hillfort/Camp, Llanarth

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 02171g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Llanarth
Unitary authority : Monmouthshire
NGR : SO36550685
Site Type (preferred type first) : Iron Age Hillfort
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
The enclosure is situated on a hilltop with panoramic views; covered in light woodland and with denser woodland below it an all sides, except the northeast it is roughly circular in shape with a flat interior. The ground slopes away steeply on all but the north side, where it slopes more gently.

Description :
The enclosure is situated on a hilltop with panoramic views; covered in light woodland and with denser woodland below it an all sides, except the northeast it is roughly circular in shape with a flat interior. The ground slopes away steeply on all but the north side, where it slopes more gently.
The enclosure is thought to be of an early Iron Age date, with a single bank and berm on south and west sides, but with triple banks and ditches culminating at the entrance on the more accessible northeast side - three banks on the north and four on the south side of this entrance, most of which were probably inturned. The first and second banks are almost certainly inturned, and a possible guardhouse remains on a slight platform on the first bank. A large mound, interpreted (wrongly) by Coxe as a 'tumulus', covers the entrance, and many of the banks have stones lying in the vicinity, although the mound was not identified in the 1987 visit by Cadw.
The hillfort was partly excavated in 1969-1971 when the interior was excavated and a Medieval longhouse was discovered. This excavation also revealed that the inner rampart of the multivallate defences at the south of the enclosure were of two phases - both with occupation layers. The primary rampart was associated with a rectangular building 3x2m and the second phase with a round house 9m in diameter.
The rampart to the north of the entrance was also excavated and was found to be of only one phase. It was turf-faced with a timber revetment to the rear and had apparently been deliberately levelled. To the rear of the inner rampart was a round house, 9m in diameter, of two phases; the house had been burnt down at the end of the second phase, the wattle and daub wall consequently preserved in situ. A probable second round house was also located. C14 date of second phase of the round house gave a date of about 2350 BP. (Wiggins 2006)

A limited desk-based assessment and field visit was carried out to this Iron Age Hillfort which is a scheduled ancient monument previously known as 'Coed y Bunnett.' 1969-71 excavations were by Babbidge. Described as well preserved and good condition under a dense cover of vegetation. (Plunkett Dillon & Latham 1986)

Sources :
Plunkett Dillon E & Latham J , 1986 , The National Trust Archaeological Survey Bettws Newydd (Coed y Cwnydd and Cwm Farm)
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)
01/PM Cadw/1995/Application for Scheduling Consent
02/Desc Text/Cadw/ Full Management Report/2006/ Copy in further information file

Events :
E001550 : Prehistoric defended enclosures Gwent (year : 2006)
E005862 : Bettws Newydd (Coed y Bwnydd and Cwm Farm), National Trust Properties (year : 1986)
E008773 : GGAT52: Monmouthshire Historic Settlements, Caldicot & Raglan (year : 1999)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 306420 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/306420/details

Compiled date : 16-02-1988


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