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Disserth Roman Fortlet is a small auxiliary fort revealed by aerial photography in Wales. Built on Wenlock bedrock composed of mudstone, siltstone and sandstone, the site occupies terrain typical of the upland regions where Rome maintained its military presence during the occupation of Britain. The fortlet's discovery through air survey demonstrates how archaeological remains invisible at ground level often become apparent when viewed from above, particularly when soil and vegetation patterns reflect underlying structural features. Cadw protects the site under reference RD137.
The fort exemplifies the network of military installations that secured the western frontier of Roman Britain. Such fortlets served as strategic posts controlling routes through difficult terrain and supporting the broader garrison system. The underlying geology of Wenlock rocks provided a stable natural foundation, though the exposed upland location would have presented considerable challenges for construction and occupation during the colder months.
Today the fortlet survives as earthwork remains within the Welsh landscape, its layout preserved in the ground despite centuries of agricultural use. The site contributes to understanding Roman military strategy in the region and the infrastructure required to sustain imperial control in Britain's more remote areas. The continued protection of the monument ensures this evidence of Roman occupation remains available for future study and public understanding.
Roman Fortlet (revealed by aerial photography), Disserth is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference RD137. View the official record →
Disserth Roman Fortlet is a small auxiliary fort revealed by aerial photography in Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference RD137.
Roman Fortlet (revealed by aerial photography), Disserth dates from the roman period, and is classified as a fort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Roman Fortlet (revealed by aerial photography), Disserth 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 RD137.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cwrt Llechryd moated site (2.1 km), Tower Hill Round Barrow (2.3 km), Castell Cae-Maerdy Castle Mound (3.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Roman Fortlet (revealed by aerial photography), Disserth'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.
Roman Fortlet (revealed by aerial photography), Disserth stands on Wenlock Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Wenlock. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.