Caer Bach

About Caer Bach

Caer Bach is a Welsh hillfort of indeterminate age, on a rounded hillock situated near the village of Rowen; in Conwy County, North Wales. Its name in English translates as 'Small Fort'; or alternatively 'Little Fortress'. It is situated on the Eastern slopes of Tal-y-Fan, an outlying peak of the Carneddau mountain range in northeast Snowdonia; at an altitude of approximately 413 metres (1, 355 feet). Little information is known about the history of the fort, as to date, the site has undergone minimal investigation. Description"Caer Bach, a small hill-fort at about 1, 300ft above O. D. The end of a spur projecting E. from Tal y Fan rises slightly to form a rounded hillock, which is encircled by two roughly circular lines of defence. The outer is a bank of earth with an external ditch, which survives to a total height of about 10ft. A stone revetment of laid masonry can be traced on the N. W. outer face, and a slight counterscarp bank on the S. The E. side merges into the natural slope. Separated from this rampart by about 50ft. are the footings of a stone wall, much robbed, about 12-15 feet thick, built in short straight lengths. The facing, where it survives, is generally of large blocks set on their longer edges. There enterances through both ramparts were on the S. E. , but are much ruined. A hut circle and be traced against the inner face of the N. W. side of the inner enclosure. "The site has been identified as a partial contour fort, unusual for its poorly defensible position within the wider landscape, and also for its small size. The fort has broad views over the Conwy valley and it has been speculated that its position is related to a prehistoric trackway, which ran from the mouth of the River Conwy, through to the mountain pass at Bwlch-y-Ddeufaen. Minimal investigations into the site mean that no dating evidence has been made available.

Caer Bach Description

Caer Bach is a Welsh hillfort of indeterminate age, on a rounded hillock situated near the village of Rowen; in Conwy County, North Wales. Its name in English translates as 'Small Fort'; or alternatively 'Little Fortress'. It is situated on the Eastern slopes of Tal-y-Fan, an outlying peak of the Carneddau mountain range in northeast Snowdonia; at an altitude of approximately 413 metres (1, 355 feet). Little information is known about the history of the fort, as to date, the site has undergone minimal investigation. Description"Caer Bach, a small hill-fort at about 1, 300ft above O. D. The end of a spur projecting E. from Tal y Fan rises slightly to form a rounded hillock, which is encircled by two roughly circular lines of defence. The outer is a bank of earth with an external ditch, which survives to a total height of about 10ft. A stone revetment of laid masonry can be traced on the N. W. outer face, and a slight counterscarp bank on the S. The E. side merges into the natural slope. Separated from this rampart by about 50ft. are the footings of a stone wall, much robbed, about 12-15 feet thick, built in short straight lengths. The facing, where it survives, is generally of large blocks set on their longer edges. There enterances through both ramparts were on the S. E. , but are much ruined. A hut circle and be traced against the inner face of the N. W. side of the inner enclosure. "The site has been identified as a partial contour fort, unusual for its poorly defensible position within the wider landscape, and also for its small size. The fort has broad views over the Conwy valley and it has been speculated that its position is related to a prehistoric trackway, which ran from the mouth of the River Conwy, through to the mountain pass at Bwlch-y-Ddeufaen. Minimal investigations into the site mean that no dating evidence has been made available.

More about Caer Bach

Caer Bach is located at Conwy