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Survey Details for CYNONHL878 - 2026-06-09

CYNONHL878

Historic Landscape

Mynyddau Eglwysilian a Meio

Bridgend-Caerphilly-Rhondda

2017-03-15

  • Level 1: Rural environment
  • Level 2: Non agricultural
  • Level 3: Marginal Land

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

  • 2017-03-15

Q1a - Monitoring undertaken by

  • Historic Landscape change detection work completed by the relevant Welsh Archaeological Trust for this area, the planning authority have been included. Quality Assurance of change detection work was completed by Trysor. SmartData analysis and update using Designated Historic Asset GIS Data for questions 17, 18, 19, 20 (2025-2026)

Q1b - Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

  • This record remains unchanged following monitoring work

Q1c - Change indicated by

  • No Answer

Q1d - What has changed?

  • No Answer

Q1e - Has the information ever been verified in the field?

  • Yes
    • Level 3; 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q2 - Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area?

  • No

Description

Q3 - If Classification is "Other", specify here

  • Empty value

Q4 - Summary Description / Key Patterns and Elements

  • An enclosed aspect area of mountain moorland covering Cefn Eglwysilan, Mynydd Eglwysilan and Mynydd Meio. The aspect area is bounded to the north and east by Llanbradach (CynonHL290); the Cwm Tāf enclosed valley side (CynonHL448) defines the western boundary and the enclosed fieldscape of Cwm yr Aber (CynonHL308) delineates the aspect area''s southern boundary. This aspect area represents an important preserved historic landscape with a wealth of evidence from almost every period from the Bronze Age into the present. The Bronze Age is well represented within the aspect area with many varying funerary monuments broadly distributed across this open moorland. These monuments, such as ring-cairns, structured cairns, cairn cemeteries and cemetery pairs, dominate the prehistoric monument assemblage, out numbering later monuments many times over. Later monuments include Iron Age hut circles, usually in groups of three, distributed across the aspect area. Numerous Medieval house platforms litter the open moorland, which is dominated by the Senghenydd Cross Dyke. The Medieval dyke is thought to enclose a deer park belonging to the Lords of Caerphilly Castle on the upper part of the Nant yr Aber valley and surrounding hills. Parts are well preserved comprising of a bank and internal ditch, c12.5km long enclosing c2500 acres (1000ha) of mountain moorland. Several more medieval cross dykes divide Cefn Eglwysilan into large, parallel sections; these earthworks at Twyn Hywel are also associated with the Norman Deer Park. Modern transmitter towers now dominate the viewshed north of Cefn Eglwysilan. This aspect area is a very busy landscape, with evidence of human occupation from the Bronze Age into the present. The integrity of this unique landscape should be maintained.

Q5 - If working at level 3, the classification describes the dominant historic pattern, but which other patterns are important to the historical pattern of this area? (Tick all that apply)

  • Marginal Land
  • Designed Landscape

Q6 - If working at level 4 ,which other 'details' are also significant to the historic character of this area? (Please tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q7 - If working at level 4 only, which building types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q8 - If working at level 4 only, which periods prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q9 - If working at level 4 only, which architectural types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q10 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional walling materials prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q11 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional roofing materials prevail in the area? (select up to three)

  • No Answer

Q12 - Which traditional boundary types prevail in the area?

  • No Answer

Q13 - What is the nature of any archaeological interest in the area?

  • Relict-Earthworks
  • Relict-Stone Monuments

Q14 - Which chronological period is visually dominant in the area?

  • Prehistoric
  • Post Medieval (1536+)

Q15 - Is this a Historic Landscape Character Area (HLCA)? If yes, provide detail

  • No

Q16 - HLCA description url

  • No Answer

Q17 - Are there Scheduled Monuments here?

  • Yes

Q18 - Are there Listed Buildings here?

  • No

Q19 - Are there Registered Historic Parks and Gardens here?

  • No
    • Checked January 2025, no change.

Q20 - Are there Conservation Areas here?

  • No
    • Checked January 2025, no change.

Q20a - Are there Historic Battlefields here?

  • No Answer

Q21 - Are there World Heritage Sites here?

  • No

Q22 - Is this within a Registered Historic Landscape (RHL)?

  • No

Q22a - Registered Historic Landscape description

  • No Answer

Condition

Q23 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q24 - Condition:

  • Unassessed

Q25 - Trend:

  • Constant

Recommendations

Q26 - Existing management

  • Unassessed

Q27 - Management recommendations

  • Empty value

Q28 - Sector Adaptation Plan

  • Historic Environment and Climate Change in Wales Sector Adaptation Plan. https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2020-02/Adaptation%20Plan%20-%20FINAL%20WEB%20-%20English%20%281%29.pdf Assessment of likely impacts of climate change on historic assets and significance p8-11. Buildings and Settlements p23 Marginal and upland p26 Marine and coastal p28 Rivers, canals and freshwater p30 Farmland p33 Woodland p36 Industrial landscapes p38 Designed landscapes, parks and gardens p40 Historic landscapes p42

Q29 - Unused

  • No Answer

Aspect Area Boundary

Q30 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?

  • Level 3

Q31 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?

  • All

Q32 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?

  • OS Landline

Q33 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?

  • 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q34 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?

  • Area of unenclosed upland, bordered by Risca to the south and woodland to the north (Cynon HL374).

Evaluation

Q35 - Evaluation Criteria: Integrity

  • Outstanding
    • The character of this landscape as an extensive enclosed area of mountain moorland has remained substantially intact and unaffected by 19th-20th century industrial exploitation or modern forestry plantation, retaining significant evidence of prehistoric ritual/funerary activity and medieval relict settlement and agricultural features. Modern transmitter towers N of Cefn Eglwysilan represent the only recent intrusion into this landscape.

Q36 - Evaluation Criteria: Survival

  • Outstanding
    • The archaeological record for this area is exceptionally rich, with evidence of human activity ranging from the prehistoric era to the present day, Bronze Age activity is well represented within the aspect area by numerous ritual/funerary and clearance cairns broadly distributed across the landscape; the condition of these monuments varies greatly, some having been robbed in the 18th century (e.g. Carneddi Llwydion -GGAT PRN 00670m) while others have been damaged by agricultural activity. Later Iron Age occupation is evidenced by a number of possible enclosure and hut circle sites distributed across the area. Medieval occupation in the area is very well-attested, with numerous house platforms, trackways and associated field systems scattered across the open moorland, as well as several substantial linear earthwork features, the most prominent being the Senghenydd Cross Dyke. Post-medieval settlement is evidenced by a pattern of widely dispersed, isolated farmsteads.

Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Condition

  • Moderate

Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Rarity

  • High
    • Of exceptional rarity as one of the few surviving areas of open moorland within the Caerphilly/RCT historic landscape to be left untouched by 19th-20th century industrial extractive activity or modern afforestation.

Q39 - Evaluation Criteria: Potential

  • Outstanding
    • This area has not yet been subject to a detailed historic landscape characterisation. The rich, multi-period nature of the archaeological resource offers very significant potential for further investigation. Although the substantial prehistoric ritual/funerary and settlement remains in this area have been briefly surveyed (RCAHMW, 1976; GGAT, 2006) a more detailed assessment of the extent and condition of the surviving monuments (incorporating information on other sites identified from recent aerial reconnaissance and field survey) would certainly be welcomed. A similarly comprehensive assessment is warranted of the extensive remains of medieval settlement, field systems and estate boundaries (e.g. the Senghenydd Cross Dyke and other associated dyke features) broadly distributed across this area. Improvement of on-site information relating to these monuments would also be welcomed, in order to increase visitor awareness and, where possible, to prevent unnecessary damage through erosion by walkers and riders.

Q40 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation

  • Outstanding
    • This aspect area represents an important, remarkably well-preserved historic landscape containing a wealth of archaeological evidence for human activity extending from Bronze Age into the present day.

Q41 - Justification of overall evaluation

  • This aspect area represents an important, remarkably well-preserved historic landscape containing a wealth of archaeological evidence for human activity extending from Bronze Age into the present day.

Information Sources

Q42 - Sources and additional assessments

  • Evans, EM and Lewis, RL, 2003, Funerary and Ritual Monument Survey of Glamorgan and Gwent: a synthesis. GGAT Report No. 2003/068, Swansea. Evans, EM, 2002, Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites: Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taff. GGAT report no. 2002/015, Swansea. Ordnance Survey, 1884/5, First Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1900/1, Second Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1921, Third Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1998, Rhondda and Merthyr Tydfil. 1:25000, Explorer 166. Southampton. Pearson, A & Lewis, RL 2003, Prehistoric funerary & ritual sites: Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan. GGAT report no. 2003/027, Swansea. Questions 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 14/02/25, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Living Heritage

Q43 - Are there any art/artistic expressions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q44 - Are there any folklore/ legends associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q45 - Are there any events/traditions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q46 - Are any famous people associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q47 - Are there any technical / scientific discoveries associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q48 - List of Historic Placenames

  • https://rcahmw.gov.uk/discover/list-of-historic-place-names/