DE306

Nant Gwyn long hut  

28/10/2008  

Designated  

Denbighshire  

Cynwyd  

306840  

337423  

Agriculture and Subsistence  

Deserted Rural Settlement  

Medieval  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of a building, probably dating to the late-medieval or post-medieval periods and situated in enclosed rough upland pasture on the slopes above and to the E of Cwm Llynor. The building is subrectangular on plan and measures 7m from ESE to WNW by 4.5m transversely over drystone rubble foundations up to 0.5m in height. A later hut or fold has been built over the WNW end of the building. Although it may have seen later reuse as a sheepfold, the building remains a well-preserved example of a long hut and presumably represents the remains of a seasonal hafotai; the remains of a further hut and of an associated enclosure may be traced within the area immediately surrounding. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval and post medieval land use, settlement and economy. It is a well preserved example of an upland settlement and retains great archaeological potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval and post medieval stock rearing practices in the upland zone, whether as permanent settlement, regular transhumance (such as the hafod system of summer pasture), or intermittent opportunistic expansion. Its importance is enhanced by its topographical proximity to (and perhaps association with) a further well-preserved long hut (DE304), situated on the valley floor to the S. The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is rectangular and measures 30m from WNW to ESE by 24m transversely.