GM017

Twmpath, Rhiwbina  

23/07/1930  

Designated  

Cardiff  

Rhiwbina  

315376  

182199  

Defence  

Motte  

Medieval  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of a motte dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. The motte is large and stands in a grass field on the edge of a built up area. It measures about 6m high with steep sides. The top is 16m in diameter, grass covered, and flat, with a slight depression on the south aide. In places the edge of the top has been eroded, especially on the west, where there is a large eroded swathe from the top to bottom. There are a few small holes dug in the top. The motte is surrounded by a ditch, which varies in depth and width: on the east side it is 4 - 5m wide, with an outer depth of c. 1.2m. On the west side it is 4m wide and c. 1m deep, and on the north and south it is shallower and very gently sloping. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive practices. The monument is well-preserved and an important relic of the medieval landscape. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of both structural evidence and intact associated deposits. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.