Site Record

On the south side of Mynydd Du, a group of structures is located in the narrow stream valley cutting of the upper reaches of Nant Fyda, on its west bank where the flood plain broadens. The most complex structure in the group is as follows:

Located at the foot of the valley cutting (on its west side) a large rectilinear foundation, infested with reeds and much ruined but clearly sub-divided into five compartments. Overall dimensions are 21.4m long (NE-SW) by 5m wide tapering to 3.5m wide at the north-east end, with cross walls at distances of 4.2m, 7.5m, 14.5m and 17.5m from the south end. All compartments are strewn with tumbled stone. Walls are about 1m thick and there are gaps in the east walls of the southernmost bay, the northernmost bay and the bay adjacent to the latter. The two central bays are interconnected through a gap in the cross-wall. The northernmost bay is of slighter build than the rest of the structure, walls rising to only 0.2m high in contrast to 0.5m elsewhere; there is a slightly rounded end wall here.
Part of the area between building and stream has been roughly enclosed by three stone and boulder banks which radiate from the east wall of the building. The north bank projecting from an orthostat on the outer face of the building is 0.3m high, 0.5m wide and runs for 12m to the edge of the river bank. A shorter bank, 7m long, projects from an orthostat on the outer face at the junction of the central and southern bays. The southernmost bank projects from the south-east corner towards the river for a distance of 26m. The enclosed area is densely overgrown with rushes.

Associated with other structures.

David Leighton, RCAHMW, 9 May 2001