Cwm Prysor (Merionethshire) - Royal Commission on the Ancient ...

ArcHeritage 11Table 5: Number of sites by Broad ClassBroad Class Number of sites PercentageAgriculture and subsistence 452 29%Agriculture and subsistence? 6 0%Communications 39 3%Defence 147 10%Defence? 26 2%Domestic 16 1%Domestic? 4 0%Industrial 211 14%Industrial? 67 4%Monument 264 17%Religious, ritual and funerary 12 1%Religious, ritual and funerary? 5 0%Transport 167 11%Transport? 2 0%Unassigned 100 6%Water supply and drainage 20 1%Water supply and drainage? 2 0%5.2 Discussion of sites by period5.2.1 PrehistoricWhilst the number of identifiably prehistoric sites within the survey area is relatively low (15),there are also a number of sites which may be prehistoric (42), but which cannot be clearlyidentified as such on the basis of visual evidence. The distribution of prehistoric sites is shownon Figure 4. Several of the sites in the ‘unknown’ category also may relate to prehistoricactivity, including mounds and possible hut platforms.The prehistoric sites include two hut circle settlements (NPRN 275907 and 530496), one ofwhich was previously recorded and is a SAM. The second hut group at Moel Oernant (530496)is located approximately 500m to the east of the known site at Craiglaseithin and comprisesthree hut circles, two of which are adjoining, with a linear stony bank running from the twonorthern circles to the single southern one. A possible burial mound was also recorded in thevicinity of the hut group (NPRN 530495). The hut circles are also defined by low stony banks.The features are very similar to those at the Craiglaseithin group (275907), which has a moreextensive system of linear banks defining possible enclosures around three hut circles (Plate1), and a small cairn possibly related to field clearance.The enclosed settlement at Ffrîdd Bod-y-Fuddau (NPRN 303057) is also a SAM, and comprisesat least one and possibly up to three round houses within an oval enclosure (Plate 2). Theenclosure and structures inside are defined by substantial stony banks, and there is anentrance to the enclosure on the southeast side. The Ffrîdd Bod-y-Fuddau settlement may beof Iron Age to Romano-British date. An area of possibly prehistoric cultivation ridges has beenrecorded down the slope to the east of the settlement (HER PRN 5265); these were not visibleon the ground, but a series of low banks were noted, which appear to form the boundaries of<strong>Cwm</strong> <strong>Prysor</strong> Upland SurveyArcHeritage Survey Report Report No 2013/8