Scheduled MonumentsWalesThree Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed
Medieval · Pillow Mound

Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed

Wales
Cadw SAM GM491
Period
Medieval
Site type
Pillow Mound
Broad class
Agriculture and Subsistence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed is a group of three upstanding earthwork mounds located in Wales, designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument under Cadw reference GM491. These pillow mounds are characteristic features of medieval and post-medieval rabbit warrens, constructed as artificial breeding grounds for rabbits, which provided an important source of meat and fur for local populations and landholders. The mounds, which retain their distinctive elongated form, date from the medieval period and represent the intensification of agricultural resource management during this era. The site exemplifies the medieval exploitation of upland landscape resources and the deliberate creation of managed habitats for small game husbandry.

Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM491. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed?

Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed is a group of three upstanding earthwork mounds located in Wales, designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument under Cadw reference GM491. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM491.

What period does Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed date from?

Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a pillow mound. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed?

Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed 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 GM491.

What other scheduled monuments are near Three Pillow Mounds on Cefn Hirgoed?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Corntown causewayed enclosure (6.5 km), Promontory Fort on Fleming's Down (6.5 km), Ogmore Stepping Stones (6.7 km).

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