PE119

Eithbed Enclosure  

 

Designated  

Pembrokeshire  

Maenclochog  

208044  

228715  

Monument  

Enclosure  

Prehistoric  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of an earthwork/stone-built enclosure. The date or precise nature of the enclosure is unknown, but it is likely to be later prehistoric or medieval. It is located on a gentle south-facing slope at 250m above sea level, is oval in shape and measures 53m north west to south east by 45m north east to south west, surrounded by a 1.1m high turf covered stone bank, there is no trace of an exterior ditch. A curving bank, grass covered with boulders of height 0.5m and a spread of 5m, runs from the south eastern corner of the enclosure to the south eastern corner of the field and may indicate the original entrance. The interior is terraced into the hillside and has two distinct levels, although there is no formal step-down, to the south there is a wet area 4m in diameter which has been marked as a spring. Foundations of two stone, rectangular buildings are visible in the interior. One on the southeast side measuring c.4m by 8m and one less clear on the north side. A possible building or wall lies outside the southeast side of the enclosure. 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, 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.