Gaergywydd defended enclosure

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NPRN800385
Map ReferenceSN68NW
Grid ReferenceSN6281085180
Unitary (Local) AuthorityCeredigion
Old CountyCardiganshire
CommunityTirymynach
Type Of SiteDEFENDED ENCLOSURE
PeriodIron Age
Description

Royal Commission aerial reconnaissance on 10th July 2018, during the 2018 drought, recorded cropmarks of a substantial univallate defended enclosure partly underlying the present farm of Gaergywydd. 

A hillfort or defended enclosure had long been suspected in this location, not only because of the 'gaer' element in the placename but because of the discovery of a large silted-up ditch to the west of and below the farm during pipeline excavations in 1986 by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust (PRN 13052). Ken Murphy noted: 'The ditch measured some 6m across and at least 2m deep. The projected edge indicadte a depth of some 4-5m. The ditch was running in an east-west direction. Its size indicates a defensive function and may be associated with the place-name of the farm of Gaergywydd immediately to the east. KM 1986'.

The 2018 aerial photographs show parchmarks of a curving single ditch extending south, then west of Gaergywydd, enclosing the steep hillslope below the farmhouse. This then returns north, and then angles sharply east for a return under the present farm yard - returning around SN 6284 8522. The whole describes a D-shaped defended enclosure measuring 160m north-south by 100m east-west approximately.

Image refs: AP_2018_4307-08

T. Driver, RCAHMW, Feb 2024