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Dinas Emrys

Gwynedd, Wales · Atlas WA1729

Dinas Emrys is a contour fort in Beddgelert, Gwynedd, Wales.

Other names on the record: Cwm-Yr-Ala.

It is recorded as extant, with a partial univallate, partial bivallate, and partial multivallate rampart form, surface evidence of stone wall, and an enclosed area of 1.2 hectares.

Banks or ramparts are the remains most likely to be visible.

The topographic record places it on a knoll or outcrop and at 110 m.

The aspect is recorded as level.

Recorded land use includes woodland, scrub or bracken, and built-up land.

Dating evidence is recorded for 400 BC–AD 50, AD 50–400, AD 400–800, and after AD 800 (Artefactual and C14). Reliability is recorded as B - Medium.

A scheduled monument number is recorded (CN018).

Location

Atlas number
WA1729 (1729)
Country
Wales
Current county or unitary authority
Gwynedd
Historic county
Caernarfonshire
Parish, community, or townland
Beddgelert
National Grid reference
SH60604920
Latitude
53.02187
Longitude
-4.07979
Altitude
110 m

Form and condition

Type
contour fort
Condition
Extant
Morphology
partial univallate, partial bivallate, and partial multivallate
Complete rampart circuit
Yes
Number of ramparts
3
Ramparts by quadrant
NE 1, SE 2, SW 3, NW 2
Number of ditches
0
Possible original entrances
3
Breaks through the ramparts
3
Enclosed area
1.2 ha
Enclosing works, as visible
stone wall
Enclosing works, excavated
stone wall and palisade
Also recorded
multi-period enclosure system
Entrance forms
Simple Gap (West)

Landscape

Topographic position
knoll or outcrop
Aspect
level
Land use
woodland, scrub or bracken, and built-up land

Dating

Dating
400 BC–AD 50, AD 50–400, AD 400–800, and after AD 800
Dating evidence
Artefactual and C14
Dating reliability
B - Medium

Interior and investigation

Interior excavation
postholes
Finds
pottery
Investigations
Excavation (1910); Other (1976); Geophysical Survey (2002); Earthwork Survey (2002); 1st Identified Map Depiction (1885-1900); Excavation (1954-1956); Other (2005-2006)

Identifiers

Scheduled monument number
CN018
HER
Gwynedd 1462
National record
record SH 64 NW 2; monument 95284
Wikidata
Q31054368

Sources

References

  1. Breese, C. E. 1930. The Fort of Dinas Emrys, Arch Camb, LXXXV Pt 2, 342-354.
  2. Brooks, I. and Laws, K. 2002. Topographical and Geophysical Surveys at Dinas Emrys, EAS REPORT 2002/38.
  3. RCAHMW 1960. Caernarvonshire Vol II: Central, A survey and inventory by the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire, No 742, London: HMSO.
  4. Savory, H. N. 1960. Excavations at Dinas Emrys, Beddgelert 1954-1956, Arch Camb, CIX ,P13-77.
  5. Smith, G.H. 2006. A survey of prehistoric defended enclosures in north-west Wales 2005-2006: Gwynedd Dwyfor and Meirionnydd. Report No 634. Part I: Survey Report. Bangor: Gwynedd Archaeological Trust.
  6. Waddington, K. 2013. The Settlements of Northwest Wales: From the Late Bronze Age to the Early Medieval Period, Cardiff: University of Wales Press.