Scheduled MonumentsWalesPromontory Fort at Sheep Island
Prehistoric · Promontory Fort - coastal

Promontory Fort at Sheep Island

Pembrokeshire, Wales
Cadw SAM PE411
Period
Prehistoric
Site type
Promontory Fort - coastal
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Promontory Fort at Sheep Island is a prehistoric coastal defence work located in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The fort occupies a naturally defensible headland position and exemplifies the promontory fort type, whereby a narrow neck of land connecting a coastal projection to the mainland was fortified with defensive earthworks to create an enclosed settlement area. Such sites are characteristic of later prehistoric Wales, typically dating to the Iron Age period, and served both defensive and settlement functions for communities exploiting coastal and maritime resources. The physical remains comprise the characteristic defensive bank or banks cut across the promontory, creating a barrier to restrict access to the enclosed coastal area.

Promontory Fort at Sheep Island is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference PE411. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Promontory Fort at Sheep Island?

Promontory Fort at Sheep Island is a prehistoric coastal defence work located in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference PE411.

What period does Promontory Fort at Sheep Island date from?

Promontory Fort at Sheep Island dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a promontory fort - coastal. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Promontory Fort at Sheep Island?

Promontory Fort at Sheep Island 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 PE411.

What other scheduled monuments are near Promontory Fort at Sheep Island?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Remains of East Blockhouse N of Rat Island (1.1 km), West Pickard Camp (1.9 km), Gravel Bay anti-aircraft battery (3.9 km).

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