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Gaer Fawr (Briton Ferry)Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork
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Visited 25 February 2023. Like Carl I come down here after visiting Buarth y Gaer hillfort and cairn. The fences on the current OS 1:250000 are out of date; the fence to the south now encloses the whole site rather than separating the outer earthworks from the central site. It's a big site overall, there are two low banks uphill and to the south of the central site, which if continuous would enclose a very large area. Although the OS map describes it as a "fort", the size suggests a big settlement site, with Buarth y Gaer being a more likely position for a properly defensible spot, with extensive views in all directions. The inner enclosure is however surrounded by at least three lines of banks and ditches, so there is a sense of something more than the mere domestic here as well. There are great views to the north across the Vale of Neath, stretching as far as Y Mynydd Du's distant summits, with the prominent ridges of Mynydd Marchywel and Hirfynydd dominating the middle distance (there are plentiful Bronze Age remains on those ridges). Interestingly neither the Buarth y Gaer cairn or hillfort are visible from the central enclosure, although they can be seen from the uppermost/outermost rampart. The sun comes out briefly and casts some welcome light on the scene. Not exactly a first rate site, but there's certainly enough here to warrant a visit coupled with the Buarth y Gaer sites. I head back up to the cairn and then regain the forestry track to the east, which provides an easy and fence-free route up to these sites. I have one more hill to climb, the biggest of the day. |
Posted by thesweetcheat24th February 2024ce |
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Visited 5.3.11 Directions: From Buarth Y Gaer Hillfort head down hill, keeping the trees to your right. In a large field, home to many sheep, there are the remains of this defended 'enclosure'. At least that is what the o/s map shows but I couldn't see a thing! Not a sausage! There are two long low 'mounds' which run across the field but these looked natural to me. Perhaps these were the remains? Half of the enclosure is under the trees, the other side of a barbed wire fence, so maybe the remains are better preserved there? All I managed to get out of this visit was a pair of muddy trainers! Coflein describes the site: Gaer Fawr is an oval enclosure, c.50m E-W by 38m, defined by double banks and ditches, has complex outer works, roughly concentric to it, with further banks & ditches & a W-facing approach way, c.164-210m overall diameter. |
Posted by CARL 25th March 2011ce |
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