Scheduled Monuments- Full Report
Summary Description of a Scheduled Monument
Reference Number
GM273
Name
Fforest Gwladys Roman practice camp
Date of Designation
Status
Designated
Location
Unitary Authority
Caerphilly
Community
Gelligaer
Easting
313128
Northing
199084
Broad Class
Defence
Site Type
Practice Camp
Period
Roman
Description
Summary Description and Reason for Designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The monument comprises the remains of a small Roman practice camp, probably dating from the Flavian-Trajanic garrison of Wales, AD 74 - 117. The small fortlet was probably built as troop practice in construction techniques. The monument comprises the surviving upstanding earthworks, a square enclosure measuring roughly 18m in length within a bank spread to about 4m in thickness and up to 0.7m in height. There are slight traces of the external ditch; and there is an entrance in the S side, protected by a clavicula.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Roman military organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider context of the Roman occupation of Wales and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail. The importance of the site is further enhanced by its chronological and geographical association with several other Roman sites in the vicinity (GM016 and GM164).
The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.