History
The fortified settlement of Castell Henllys was built in the Iron Age around 600 BC. The settlement of the hillfort was discontinued more or less at the beginning of first century AD and resumed in the late Roman period. At that time, a small Roman-Breton farm was set up on the sidelines. Later reconstruction of the hillfort probably had a connection with the Irish settlers during the Roman period. Traces of fire at the gate and large amounts of stones to slings indicate warfare in the area of the settlement.
Architecture
The settlement occupied an inland promontory of a hill, approximately 74 x 88 meters in size, towering above the confluence of the Duad and Hafren rivers on the eastern side. These rivers surrounded the base of the hill on three sides, creating a marshy and boggy valley floor. Only the western and northwestern sides were free from water obstacles, where the promontory connected to the rest of the plateau by a neck. Although the hill was not very high, only about 20 meters high, the slopes were quite steep and provided good protection for the settlement.
The western section of the fortifications, the least protected by the natural terrain, was defended by a double rampart and a double ditch, while a single rampart and ditch surrounded the settlement along the remaining perimeter, with a palisade likely located at the top of the rampart. The inner rampart was more massive, towering at least 2-3 meters above the interior of the settlement and about 5 meters above the floor of the moat. The outer rampart rose about 3 meters above the inner moat and at least 4 meters on the exterior. The gateway consisted of a long, stone-lined passage, with two circular chambers on each side, which may have served as guard stations. A wooden tower or some form of defensive platform may have stood above the break in the ramparts.
Within the settlement were circular dwellings, which were the standard form of housing in Britain from the Bronze Age through the Iron Age, and in some areas even into the post-Roman period. They were built of stone, clay, or wooden poles, ranging from 5 to over 15 meters in diameter. Their high, conical, perforated roofs likely served to evacuate the smoke from the fire, which slowly escaped through the roofing.
Current state
As a result of archaeological excavations that have been carried out for more than twenty years, the original foundations of thatched-roof buildings from the Iron Age were reconstructed at Castell Henllys. Round huts have been recreated using a wide range of materials, including wood of many types and sizes, reed, clay, dung and ropes. Four houses and one granary have been reconstructed. Although they are the main attraction, in Castell Henllys there is also a tourist center with interactive exhibitions, as well as a shop and a café.
bibliography:
Cunliffe B., Iron Age Britain, London 1995.
Driver T., The Hillforts of Iron Age Wales, Eardisley 2023.
The Royal Commission on The Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions in Wales and Monmouthshire. An Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire, VII County of Pembroke, London 1925.