PE391

Castell Coch Promontory Fort (by Ynys Gwair)  

31/03/1976  

Designated  

Pembrokeshire  

St. David's and the Cathedral Close  

177549  

230360  

Defence  

Promontory Fort - coastal  

Prehistoric  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of a defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 43). The enclosure is located on a narrow coastal promontory above the sea that marks part of the defensive circuit. A double bank and ditch protects the interior on the landward east side running from cliff top to cliff top and encloses an irregular area of about 56m north to south and 45m east to west, the entrance to which is located centrally. South of the entrance the flat topped inner bank is 15m wide, 3m high above the interior and 4m high above the exterior ditch which is 8m wide. The outer bank is separated from it by a 6m berm and is c 1m high above a shallow (0.5m) external ditch. North of the entrance the defences are less substantial and curve away to the north west to run along the crest of the steep coastal slope before terminating at the cliff edge. 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, layout, 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.