Scheduled MonumentsWalesPen y Gaer
Prehistoric · Hillfort

Pen y Gaer

Carmarthenshire, Wales
Cadw SAM CM101
Period
Prehistoric
Site type
Hillfort
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Pen y Gaer is a prehistoric hillfort located in Carmarthenshire, Wales, situated on high ground that commands views across the surrounding landscape. The site is defended by multiple ramparts and ditches characteristic of Iron Age fortification design, indicating its role as a defensive settlement and administrative centre during the later prehistoric period. The monument represents an important example of hillfort construction in south Wales, a region that saw substantial fortified settlement development from the late Bronze Age through the Iron Age. As a scheduled ancient monument under Cadw protection, Pen y Gaer remains a significant archaeological resource for understanding prehistoric settlement patterns and defensive strategies in Wales.

Pen y Gaer is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM101. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Pen y Gaer?

Pen y Gaer is a prehistoric hillfort located in Carmarthenshire, Wales, situated on high ground that commands views across the surrounding landscape. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CM101.

What period does Pen y Gaer date from?

Pen y Gaer dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a hillfort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Pen y Gaer?

Pen y Gaer 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 CM101.

What other scheduled monuments are near Pen y Gaer?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Derlwyn round barrow cemetery (2.5 km), Pant-Teg Standing Stone (4 km), Crugiau Edryd Round Barrows (4.1 km).

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