GM317

Three Platform Houses on Cefn Brithdir  

 

Designated  

Caerphilly  

Darran Valley  

312892  

203040  

Domestic  

Platform house  

Medieval  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of three rectangular earthen building platforms, which probably dates to the medieval period. Grouped close together, the platforms lie on the westward facing edge of the Cefn Brithdir ridge. They are orientated in a north-south line, a few metres from each other. The northernmost measures 19m long by 7-8m wide. The back slope on the east is 1.5m high and at the western end there is a 1.8m drop to the natural slope. The middle platform is less distinct, 14m long and of indeterminate width. The backslope is 1m high and slopes gently. At the west end there is a raised area, 0.3m high, 5m wide and 7m long. The southernmost platform is 14m long by 8m wide with a gently sloping backslope 1m high. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval settlement. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the scheduled area may be expected to contain a wide range of archaeological information, including chronological detail and evidence in regard to construction techniques and agricultural methods. House platforms may be part of a larger cluster of settlement and their importance can further enhanced by their group value. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.