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Rectangular Earthworks 530m SSW of Heol-Ddu-Uchaf is a Roman practice camp situated in south Wales on geology dominated by the South Wales Upper Coal Measures Formation. This Carboniferous bedrock, formed during the Westphalian period, comprises mudstone, siltstone, sandstone with bands of coal, ironstone and ferricrete. The camp lies within a landscape shaped by these industrial-quality mineral deposits that would later define the region's modern economy.
Practice camps served as training grounds where Roman soldiers conducted manoeuvres and field exercises. They were typically constructed with temporary or semi-permanent defences, allowing troops to perfect siege techniques, formation drills and camp-craft away from active conflict. The rectangular earthwork remains visible in the Welsh landscape as a testament to Roman military discipline and organisation.
The site is protected by Cadw, the Welsh heritage authority, under reference GM164, ensuring its preservation as an important record of Roman military presence in Wales. The camp demonstrates how the Roman army established its infrastructure across the province, using local topography and geological conditions to develop training facilities that supported garrison operations and military readiness in this mineral-rich area of south Wales.
Rectangular Earthworks 530m SSW of Heol-Ddu-Uchaf is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM164. View the official record →
Rectangular Earthworks 530m SSW of Heol-Ddu-Uchaf is a Roman practice camp situated in south Wales on geology dominated by the South Wales Upper Coal Measures Formation. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM164.
Rectangular Earthworks 530m SSW of Heol-Ddu-Uchaf dates from the roman period, and is classified as a practice camp. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Rectangular Earthworks 530m SSW of Heol-Ddu-Uchaf 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 GM164.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Carneddi Llwydion (8 km), Two Round Cairns on the Bryn (8.3 km), Bryn Owen Farm Cairns, Llanfabon (8.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Rectangular Earthworks 530m SSW of Heol-Ddu-Uchaf'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.
Rectangular Earthworks 530m SSW of Heol-Ddu-Uchaf stands on South Wales Upper Coal Measures Formation, bedrock that formed in the Westphalian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, coal, ironstone and ferricrete.