AN040

Bodafon Mountain Hut Groups  

 

Designated  

Isle of Anglesey  

Moelfre  

247082  

384963  

Domestic  

Unenclosed hut circle  

Roman  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument. The monument comprises the remains of a series of round huts that probably date to the Iron Age or Romano-British period (c. 800 BC - AD 400). They are situated on a natural terrace on the SE slopes of Bodafon Mountain. The scheduled area contains four separate groups of huts, two enclosed and two unenclosed. From north to south, they are identified B, A, C and D. Group A - An enclosed hut group just outside the SE angle of a modern enclosure adjoining and to the E of a cottage called Tan-terfyn. It consists of a quadrangular enclosure c.31m N-S by 27m E-W bounded by a low, stony bank, with an entrance on the S and E sides. The S entrance leads into a further enclosure which measures 22m W-E and 16m N-S with a further entrance on the S side. The main enclosure walls remain to a height of 1.2m and are 1m wide, the attached enclosure walls are less substantial, but still clearly visible. The main enclosure contains a round hut of 9m internal diameter with an entrance on the E side. There is an attached rectangular structure 6m long and 2m wide S of the entrance. On the E side of the enclosure, either side of the entrance, are the remains of two square structures with rounded corners, the N one measuring 3.5m and the S 4.3m. This hut group was planned and partially excavated in 1954 by W E Griffiths. The roundhouse wall was constructed with upright orthostats, with a rubble and earth core. A black occupation layer was preserved within the interior, which produced charcoal and burnt stones, as well as a small collection of beach or river pebbles. The rectangular structure attached to the roundhouse appeared to be a later addition as the walls were constructed in a different way and with smaller stones. While no occupation layer was identified, a fragment of a stone trough and part of a ground and perforated stone was recovered from inside this structure. A low mound, located to the northeast of the main roundhouse entrance contained burnt stones, blackened earth and charcoal, and was interpreted as 'the rakings of hearths in the Round House'. Four sherds of pottery, probably from a Samian-ware bowl or dish dating to the second and third centuries AD were also discovered here. Group B - About 100m N of Group A (just outside the NE angle of the modern enclosure belonging to Tan-terfyn), is a second enclosed hut group. It consists of an oval enclosure c.27m from E to W and 23m from N to S. The entrance, some 3m wide, lies on the N and is flanked on the E by a wall leading inwards to a central courtyard. On the line of the enclosure wall on the W is a large circular house 9m in diameter with an entrance on the E, facing the courtyard. In the middle of the enclosure is a smaller round hut 3.5-4m in diameter with its entrance on the NW, facing that of the large house; the two buildings appear to be linked by a short length of wall on the S side of their entrances. At the eastern end of the enclosure a marshy area may represent the site of a former spring. Hut group B was cleared of bracken and surveyed at the time Group A was excavated. Group C – Three or four round huts. Hut 1 is 9.5m overall diameter, with walls up to 1m high; the entrance faces E. Hut 2 is 9m overall diameter, with walls 0.5-1m high; the entrance faces E. Hut 3 is 8m in diameter, with walls 0.5-1m high. The E side of this hut was damaged by vehicle movements during construction of the track in 1986. The Ordnance Survey noted ‘vague banks between and around them’ [the huts described above] and a curving bank 9m long, 2m wide and 0.75m high seen by a Cadw Field Monument Warden in 1986 was interpreted as the remains of a fourth hut. Vague features in the side of the trackside ditch could indicate the other side of this hut. Group D – At the S end of the scheduled area is a round hut 9m in diameter, visible as a semi-circular platform and the remains of a stone and earth wall or field bank. A second hut to the E was destroyed during construction of the track in 1986. Vague circular platforms in the area may denote other hut remains. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Romano-British settlement. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structures themselves may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.