GM562

Wernlas hut circle  

06/01/2004  

Designated  

Rhondda Cynon Taff  

Hirwaun  

296451  

209543  

Domestic  

Hut Circle Settlement  

Prehistoric  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of a hut circle or round house probably dating to the Bronze Age (c.2300 BC - 800 BC) or Iron Age (c.800 BC - early 1st millennium AD). It is situated within enclosed woodland about 400m to the south-south-west of Wernlas Farm, on a north-facing slope above the stream of Cwm Cadlan. The hut circle is roughly oval on plan and measures 9.5m from east-south-east to west-south-west by 8.5m transversely within a drystone rubble bank at least 1.5m in thickness and 0.4m in height. The platform upon which the hut circle is situated is terraced out on the downslope north-west side, where the drystone rubble bank is much tumbled and spread, measuring up to 4m in thickness. There is an indication of the bank constricting inwards on the north and west before continuing towards the north-west and forming a hooked porch. There is no indication of an internal entrance, although the hooked porch is open with a large gap on the north-west and there is a smaller gap in the bank on the west. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric settlement, economy and social organisation. Its importance is further enhanced as a result of the exceptionally well preserved nature of the site. The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.