246 BANC LLWYNCEILIOG
GRID REFERENCE: SN 682416
AREA IN HECTARES: 306.30
Historic Background
An area of planted coniferous forest occupying the western flank of Mynydd
Malláen. It once lay within Cwmwd Caeo of Cantref Mawr which remained
an independent Welsh lordship until 1284 and largely retained native systems
of tenure throughout the Medieval period. It is an upland area, now enclosed
with large, regular fields which are late in origin, having been established
since the tithe survey of 1840. There is now no settlement, which may
reflect the predominant situation during the historic period, but an abandoned
farmstead has been recorded. There is evidence for prehistoric occupation
in the form of Bronze Age ritual features (round barrows) and the area
is crossed by Roman aqueducts leading to Area 243.
Base map reproduced from the OS map with the permission
of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery
Office, © Crown Copyright 2001.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright
and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: GD272221
Description and essential historic landscape components
This area comprises the high south-east valley side of the upper Cothi
valley. It lies between 180 m and 330 m. The area has been enclosed into
large, fairly regular fields by earth banks and hedges, but these are
now mostly redundant - the hedges either gone or marked by straggling
lines of bushes and small trees - and wire fences provide stock-proof
barriers. Much of the land is improved grazing, but there is rougher ground
on some steep slopes and at higher levels, particularly at the northeastern
end of the area where larger former fields merge into unenclosed moorland.
There are stands of ancient deciduous woodland on very steep slopes, and
a couple of small conifer plantations are also present. Rough tracks and
paths are the only transport links. There are no settlements. The earthworks
of Roman aqueducts which traverse the valley side are distinct elements
of the landscape. Overall the appearance of this area is of improved pasture
divided by wire fences, with woodland on steep slopes.
Recorded archaeology comprises two Bronze Age round barrows,
a Roman reservoir and aqueducts, and an abandoned farmstead.
There are no standing buildings. Banc Llwynceiliog is a
distinct character area. It provides a buffer between farms and fields
on the valley floor, and higher open moorland and upland forestry.
To the southwest lies the distinctive area of Dolaucothi
Gold Mines.
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