Banc y Celyn, Brecknockshire - Royal Commission on the Ancient ...

Uplands Initiative – <strong>Banc</strong> y <strong>Celyn</strong> 20083.3.1 Deserted Rural SettlementsA Deserted Rural Settlement (DRS) is a complex of features that can include platforms,longhouses or long huts, associated with ancillary structures such as pens, shelters orfield enclosures. There is only a single complex of this kind recorded in the <strong>Banc</strong> y<strong>Celyn</strong> study area, namely the Cwmhindda DRS (NPRN 275640).The Cwmhindda DRS is a discrete group or complex of platforms and long huts, and asmall enclosure, (NPRNs 247056-247061 & 247065). These features are found justbelow the 400m contour, on a rather exposed north-facing hillslope, close to the northernboundary of the study area. Most of the features in this DRS site are protected within the areaof the Cwmhindda DRS Scheduled Ancient Monument (BR280). These are;• Long Hut NPRN 247058: This long hut is built onto a slight platform terraced into anorth-northeast facing hill. It is defined by low wall bases, and measures 9m x 4.5m.• Long Hut NPRN 247059: A long hut built onto a slight platform terraced into anortheast-facing hill. It is defined by low wall bases and measures 9.5m x 5m wide.This long hut sits within enclosure (NPRN 247060).• Enclosure NPRN 247060: A small enclosure, defined by denuded earthwork banks,which encloses a long hut (NPRN 247059). It measures c.21m x c17m• Platform NPRN 247061: A classic cross-contour earthwork platform with a welldefinedfan and apron. Overall it measures c.20m x c.7m wideThe 2009 survey identified a 3 more platforms in the group, located outside the scheduled area;• Platform NPRN 247056: This platform measures 12m x 5m and is slightlyembanked around three sides, with its south-southwestern end formed by a bedrockoutcrop, against which it has been constructed.• Platform NPRN 247057: This D-shaped platform measures 10m east-west by 7.5mwide. It is slightly embanked around three sides, but its south-southwestern end isformed by a bedrock outcrop, against which it has been constructed.• Platform NPRN 247065: which lies downslope and north of the main group offeatures, alongside a trackway, which passes immediately to its western side. Itmeasures c.9m x 4m and has only a slight fan and apron, being easily overlooked.The interpretation of this DRS complex on the basis of field survey alone is difficult. Clearlythe structures that once stood here were timber-framed and had little stone incorporated intotheir construction. The grassed-over wall bases of the two long huts may obscure stonefoundations, but there is no surface rubble to indicate that the walls were of stone build. Thegeneral absence of building stone in the vicinity undoubtedly explains this characteristic.The presence of platforms of various forms in the group is interesting. The 20m longplatform NPRN 247061 clearly had a different function to the smaller platforms of thegroup, particularly NPRN 247057, which is D-shaped and has a low, denudedearthwork bank around three sides. We cannot say what role the long huts played, orwhich of the structures were used as dwellings. The position of the settlement, and theapparent absence of cultivation here, would seem to suggest that it is a probablemedieval hafod settlement, associated with the management of stock animals on the hillpastures during the summer months. The settlement enjoys good views to the north andmay represent the hafod of a community located on the lowland in that direction.44