MM130

Castell Prin Camp  

 

Designated  

Newport  

Penhow  

340983  

192386  

Defence  

Hillfort  

Prehistoric  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of a multivallate hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). The hillfort is situated in a wood on a small hilltop to the S of Wentwood, it occupies the western end of the hill, with the ground sloping away to the N, W and S quite steeply. The hillfort is oblong in shape and measures 100m E/W by 60m N/S and has a level interior. The W half of the N side has no man-made defences, but is defined by a steep natural slope. Towards the E end a bank and ditch begin abruptly. The ditch is 1.2m deep and the bank has an external height of 2.5-3m and an internal height of 0.8m. These continue along the E side, with very large steep sides. The ditch ends abruptly at the SE corner. There are some large stones lying in the ditch toward its N end. The bank continues along the S side, with an internal height of up to 0.5m, and an external height of 2.5m. Outside this there is a berm 5m wide, which in places becomes a shallow ditch and bank 0.5m high beyond which is a steep scarp 2.5m high, below which the ground levels out. In the middle of this side is an inturned entrance 2.5m wide and 0.7-1m deep. On the W side the ground drops steeply, and the defences consist of two scarps, the upper one being 2m high and the lower 0.7m high. There is a wide berm between them. The outer scarp becomes a low bank towards the S, with a steep scarp below it, as on the S side. At the bottom of the slope is a farm track. In the middle of this side is a short stretch of outer ditch and bank. The ditch is 3m wide and 1.2m deep, and the bank outside it is 1.2m high on both sides. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, building techniques and functional detail. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.