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Gaer Fawr is a prehistoric hillfort situated in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference MM062. The site occupies ground underlain by Lower Devonian sandstone and conglomerate bedrock, interbedded formations from the Early Devonian period. This hard, stable geological base would have provided a firm foundation for the construction and maintenance of the substantial earthworks characteristic of Iron Age hillforts.
The hillfort exemplifies the defensive settlements that emerged across Wales during prehistory, when communities built fortified enclosures on elevated positions to command the surrounding landscape. The choice of this particular location reflects an understanding of local topography and the strategic advantages afforded by the underlying geology.
Today, Gaer Fawr remains an important archaeological monument within Wales's heritage landscape, preserving evidence of prehistoric settlement and fortification practices. Its designation under Cadw's protection ensures the preservation of both the visible earthworks and the archaeological deposits that may survive within the hillfort's boundaries.
Gaer Fawr hillfort is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM062. View the official record →
Gaer Fawr is a prehistoric hillfort situated in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference MM062.
Gaer Fawr hillfort dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a hillfort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Gaer Fawr hillfort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is MM062.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including The Larches Camp (8.8 km), St Brides Netherwent Deserted Village (9.2 km), Crick Round Barrow (9.5 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Gaer Fawr hillfort's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Gaer Fawr hillfort stands on Lower Devonian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded.