BR153

Allt yr Esgair Camp  

 

Designated  

Powys  

Talybont-on-Usk  

312569  

224499  

Defence  

Hillfort  

Prehistoric  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of a hillfort, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). This site comprises a large, multivallate fort, measuring 700m NW/SE by 114m, which occupies the summit of an elongated ridge on the eastern side of the Usk river valley. The site appears to be multi-period, with three phases of construction evident in the earthworks. The hillfort may have originated as a small oval enclosure on the summit of the hill, which was later extended to take in ground to the north and south although the earthworks have been disturbed by quarrying in the past and the relationships between the different phases of rampart are not clear. The site is defended by a scarp between 2m and 8m high, except on the western side of the northern half of the fort where a natural cliff has been incorporated into the line of defences. In places a bank was built on top of the scarp, the material for which was dug from inside the defensive line from visible quarry ditches and pits. Around the S and W sides of the fort a ditch was dug outside the scarp, the upcast from which was used to form a counterscarp bank on the outside of the ditch. The main entrance to the fort was at the northern end, with access up a hollow way. 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.