Welsh Journals

The Defended Settlements at Llawhaden by George Williams edited by T.A. Henn A programme of excavations has recently been carried out by the Dyfed Archaeologi- cal Trust and the Manpower Services Commission on a group of defended settlements, of Prehistoric and Romano-British date, near Llawhaden. The settlements are typical of many in central Pembrokeshire and include two main types. There are larger, stronger sites known as "small hillforts" and smaller, weaker sites known as "ringworks". Few of these sites have been excavated and the majority are being destroyed by agricultural activity. The Llawhaden excavations were carried out in advance of further ploughing. Settlements are known in the area in the Early Bronze Age (2000-1400 BC). However, during the Late Bronze Age (after about 1400 BC) there seems to be a gap in the settle- ment pattern. The first defended settlements were established probably between the 8th- 4th centuries BC. These include two of the small hillforts, Broadway and Pilcornswell. Broadway was probably the earliest, beginning as an undefended settlement, the defen- sive bank and ditch being added later. Pilcornswell was probably established slightly later. It may have had a timber reinforced rampart which collapsed in flames into the ditch. Both the gap in the archaeological record and the dates of the first defended settle- ments (which are late compared with more eastern areas of Britain) are paralleled throughout South West Wales and suggest that, in this area at least, a major breakdown in society occurred in the Late Bronze Age, probably brought about by climatic deterio- ration and other environmental factors. The society to emerge was more aggressive and defended settlements were a necessity. There was perhaps a further change in society from the 3rd century BC onwards, when the ringworks were constructed. Although small in area they were surrounded by massive defences. Particular attention was paid to the defences of the entrances, which at Wood- side consisted of an elaborate system of banks, ditches and timber towers designed to pro- vide a monumental and impressive approach to the enclosure. Internal structures con- sisted mainly of round houses and "4 posters" raised storage structures. This combination of defence, display and developed storage function is typical of Iron Age defended settle- ments and doubtless implies that the Llawhaden ringworks were the seats of the upper strata of society. Woodside probably housed a chieftain, his extended family and ser- vants, making a complement of about thirty people. The Roman occupation and resulting more peaceful way of life led to the eventual abandonment of many of the sites. Dan-y-Coed survived longest but underwent major changes. The centre of the enclosure was hollowed out to form a yard and contained a partly stone built, rectangular dwelling, sufficient for a single family. Although not as sophisticated as the villas which developed in eastern Britain, it probably remained the residence of fairly affluent people judging by the finds of storage vessels for oil and wine. At Dan-y-Coed and Drim there was also occupation during the Late Roman and Post Roman periods including very crude, stone built structures. This is important as hardly any settlements of the period are known in West Wales and, hopefully, considerable information will be derived from analysis of the excavated remains. Dyfed Archaeological Trust currently have a small exhibition on the Llawhaden exca- vations at Scolton Museum Country Park near Haverfordwest.