BR391

Y Gyrn longhuts  

23/01/2009  

Designated  

Powys  

Glyn Tarell  

298334  

222692  

Agriculture and Subsistence  

Deserted Rural Settlement  

Post Medieval/Modern  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of two longhuts, probably dating to the late-medieval or post-medieval periods and situated within unenclosed moorland on a gently sloping terrace on the NW-facing slopes of Y Gyrn above Glyn Tarrell. The longhuts are situated adjacent to each other, built upon distinct platforms. The southernmost and largest longhut is subrectangular on plan and measures 13m from NW to SE by 3.2m transversely within grass-covered earth and stone banks spread 2m in thickness and up to 0.4m in height. A possible entrance is visible in the NE side. The foundations are built upon a distinct platform, terraced into the slope at the rear to a depth of 0.9m and out over the slope to a height of 0.7m. The northernmost longhut is subrectangular on plan and measures 7m from ESE to WNW by 2m transversely within grass-covered earth and stone banks spread 1.5m in thickness and up to 0.2m in height. The foundations are built upon a distinct platform, terraced into the slope at the rear to a depth of 0.9m and out over the slope to a height of 0.7m. A possible entrance is visible in the NNE side. The longhuts presumably represent the remains of a seasonal hafotai. 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 relatively 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, or intermittent opportunistic expansion. The topographical and likely chronological association of the longhuts with similar monuments nearby (BR390, BR392 and BR393) further increases the importance of the site. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is rectangular and measures 40m from NE to SW by 25m transversely.