Dyfed Archaeological Trust Historic Environment
Record
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Gaer Wen; Garn Wen
Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 7317 Trust : Dyfed Community : Llandysul Unitary authority : Ceredigion NGR : SN39634707 Site Type (preferred type first) : Iron Age Promontory Fort
Summary : Gaer wen is a small inland promontory fort located at 250m above sea level. The site is naturally well-defended to the north, west and southwest by steep slopes, which fall away to a small stream 50m below. To the east and southeast the approach to the fort is fairly level. A curving length of bank defends this side. The defended area is triangular in shape, approximately 65m by 65m. The defensive bank is now very damaged. A small cottage was built against the bank in the late 19th century/early 20th century - this is now ruined - and a start was made in building a new house here in the second half of the 20th century, but work was abandoned and the building levelled. Small paddocks and a field boundary concentric to the defensive bank accompanied the cottage. The bank itself is c. 5m wide and up to 1.8m high. It is constructed entirely from fist-sized stones, with very little earth. It is now discontinuous with several wide gaps. One of these was created in c. 1990 when a c. 8m length was quarried for stones for road hardcore. Immediately outside the bank is a cattle-feeding station, with rubble spread around for hard-standing. There is no evidence for a ditch external to the bank. The gently sloping interior is under improved pasture and in good condition. Information from the landowner during a site visit.
K Murphy 16 November 2005
Sources :
K. Murphy, R. Ramsey and M. Page , 2006 , A SURVEY OF DEFENDED ENCLOSURES IN CEREDIGION, 2006: GAZETTEER OF ORDNANCE SURVEY GRID SQUARES SN33 & SN34
DAT , 1977 , DRF ,
Hogg,AHA , 1962 , Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies ,
Meridian Airmaps , 1955 ,
Murphy,K , 2004 , Assessment of Prehistoric Defended Enclosures 2004-5, Report No 2004-100 ,
OS , 1975 ,
RCAHM , 1976 ,
