Cefn Carnedd

Cefn Carnedd

Shown within Powys
Location	Near Caersws, Wales
Coordinates	52°29′56″N 3°26′57″W
OS grid reference	SO 016 900
Type	Hillfort
Length	437 metres (1,434 ft)
Width	84 metres (276 ft)
Area	6 hectares (15 acres)
History
Periods	Iron Age

Cefn Carnedd is an Iron Age hillfort, about 1.5 miles (2 km) south-west of Caersws, in Powys, Wales. It is a scheduled monument.[1]

It is on a hill overlooking the River Severn to the east, and Afon Cerist and Afon Trannon to the north; there is a river confluence to the north-east, between the fort and Caersws.

Description

The fort is about 437 metres (1,434 ft) by 84 metres (276 ft) orientated north-east to south-west, aligned with the shape of the hill; it encloses an area of about 6 hectares (15 acres). There are triple banks and ditches on the north-west side, and there are entrances in the north-east and south-west.[1][2]

In an early phase, there was a smaller fort of 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres) at the south-west end, traces of the north-east rampart of this being visible in aerial photographs. There is a straight bank and ditch across the interior, which was built at a late stage.[1][2]

History

It is thought that the fort may have been a stronghold of the Ordovices, and it is one of the locations suggested as the site of Caratacus' last battle in AD 51, when he was defeated by the Romans.[3]

See also

• Hillforts in Britain
• List of Scheduled prehistoric Monuments in Powys (Montgomeryshire)

References

1. "Cefn Carnedd hillfort, near Caersws (94016)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
2. Christopher Houlder. Wales: An Archaeological Guide. Faber and Faber, 1978. Page 96.
3. "Cefn Carnedd: Possible battle site, near Caersws (403831)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 15 October 2021.