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Rhos-Ddigre Caves is a prehistoric cave site in Wales, formed within Dinantian limestone bedrock dating to the Mississippian period. The caves developed naturally through dissolution of the limestone, which comprises the dominant rock type at the site alongside subordinate sandstone and argillaceous deposits. The limestone geology of this region has long made it favourable for cave formation and human occupation during prehistoric times.
The site lies within a landscape shaped by the distinctive karst topography characteristic of Dinantian limestone areas in Wales. Such caves typically preserve evidence of past human activity through accumulated deposits and archaeological finds, offering insights into prehistoric settlement and resource use. The natural shelter provided by these cavities would have made them attractive occupation sites for hunter-gatherers and early farming communities.
Rhos-Ddigre Caves is now protected as a scheduled monument under Cadw, the Welsh heritage organisation, designated under reference DE119. This protection recognises the site's archaeological and historical significance and ensures its preservation for future research and study. The monument remains an important resource for understanding prehistoric human activity and adaptation to the Welsh landscape.
Rhos-Ddigre Caves is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference DE119. View the official record →
Rhos-Ddigre Caves is a prehistoric cave site in Wales, formed within Dinantian limestone bedrock dating to the Mississippian period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference DE119.
Rhos-Ddigre Caves dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a cave. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Rhos-Ddigre Caves 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 DE119.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Gribin Oernant Cairn (6.7 km), Moel Gamelin Round Barrow (7 km), Craig Arthur Kerb Cairn (7.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Rhos-Ddigre Caves'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.
Rhos-Ddigre Caves stands on Dinantian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks.