Dyfed Archaeological Trust Historic Environment
Record
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Foel Y Mwnt
Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 1041 Trust : Dyfed Community : Y Ferwig Unitary authority : Ceredigion NGR : SN19305205 Site Type (preferred type first) : Iron Age Promontory Fort Status : Site of Special Scientific Interest
Summary : Foel y Mwnt is a rocky promontory that rises to over 60m above the sea. On the landward side it rises steeply from a saddle in which is located Mwnt Church and a National Trust car park. The main line of defences runs across this steep slope, about one-third of the way up. This defence consists of a low earth or earth and stone bank up to 1m high and 3m wide on the outside (east and downslope) of which are indications of a ditch. The overall impression is that the bank has eroded back into the ditch. A simple entrance marked by a gap in the bank and ditch lies along the northern section of this defence. The edge of what seems to be a natural terrace at the base of the steep slope has been artificially steepened to form a second, outer line of defence. This is not so clear as the main line, and its course at its northern end is unclear.
The main line of defence closes off approximately 6ha. On the landward side this is land is very steep with exposed bare rock. However, on the seaward side slopes are more gentle (although still steep) and grass covered. Here there are numerous hollows which may be house platforms. These slopes are very exposed to sea winds. The second line of defence at the foot of the slope enclosed an extra area of approximately 0.6ha.
There seems to be very little coastal erosion occurring. However, a path leading up the steep landward facing slope is deeply rutted, particularly where it crosses the main defence. Here the bank is exposed revealing earth construction of stones of a possible revetment.
K Murphy 11 May 2005
Description : Foel y Mwnt is a conical, steep sided knoll projecting into the sea. The landward slope is less steep than the seaward slopes which run down to low cliffs. The top is rocky and bare of vegatation. Otherwise it is covered in grass and bushes. On the landward side, toward the top of the mount, is a double terrace running from sea slope to sea slope. The outer terrace is presumably the ditch, the inner a bank, the feature is slight, the inner terrace being 5m across x 1.5. there is a well-defined entrance on the east near the edge of the sea slope, approached by the a section of track with a further section of track leading up to the summit some 8m to the south-west. There is no trace of habitation on the after base and rocky interior. Although relatively weak, the feature is almost certainly defensive. This is emphasised by a well-defined entrance. There is no sense in constructing a property boundary in this position. However, the position enclosing a steep and apparently uninhabitable rocky summit is not paralleled on any other coastal Iron Age sites in the area. It is certainly not a typical promontory fort. Survey. GW. 1996.
Bivallate Promontory fort, ditches showing as distinct green vegetation bands. Entrance area eroded. K Murphy 1984..
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