Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.

The Gaer hillfort

A Scheduled Monument in Glascwm (Glasgwm), Powys

We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.

Coordinates

Latitude: 52.1841 / 52°11'2"N

Longitude: -3.3393 / 3°20'21"W

OS Eastings: 308526

OS Northings: 254830

OS Grid: SO085548

Mapcode National: GBR YR.4GBR

Mapcode Global: VH69V.2CGH

Entry Name: The Gaer hillfort

Scheduled Date: 10 November 2004

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 4135

Cadw Legacy ID: RD237

Schedule Class: Defence

Category: Hillfort

Period: Prehistoric

County: Powys

Community: Glascwm (Glasgwm)

Traditional County: Radnorshire

Description

The monument comprises an impressive small hillfort, probably dating to the Iron Age (c. 800 BC - 74 AD the Roman conquest of Wales) and situated on a locally prominent steep-sided knoll. A complete circuit of rampart encloses the uneven, rocky summit, measuring about 60m from NNW to SSE by 50m transversely overall. This rampart is terraced into the slope at the rear; it is spread to up to 2m in thickness and is up to 1m in height on its façade. A second rampart is visible about 10m further downslope, situated only where the slope is not particularly steep and predominantly visible on the S and W sides of the fort, where it has been terraced into the slope. This rampart is spread to up to 2.5m in thickness and is up to 1.5m in height on its façade and 0.2m in height on its rear. A track can be traced on the upper N-facing slopes of the hill, turning towards an entrance (c. 3m in width) on the NNE. Although no interior features are visible, this is a fine example of a small, easily defended hillfort.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider Iron Age context and the interior and ramparts themselves may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is circular and measures 100m in diameter.

Source: Cadw

Other nearby scheduled monuments

AncientMonuments.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact AncientMonuments.uk for any queries related to any individual ancient or schedued monument, planning permission related to scheduled monuments or the scheduling process itself.

AncientMonuments.uk is a Good Stuff website.