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A Prehistoric Field System and Related Monuments on St David's Head and Cam Llidi, Pembrokeshire

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

Kenneth Murphy
Kenneth Murphy
Affiliation:
Cambria Archaeology, The Shire Hall, Carmarthen Street, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire SA19 6AF
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Abstract

This short paper describes the remains of prehistoric settlements, chambered tombs, a promontory fort, a prehistoric defensive wall, a rectilinear field system, and other field systems on marginal land at St David's Head. Antiquarians and archaeologists have known of these remains for over two centuries, but it is only through modern surveying techniques and aerial photography that their true nature can be appreciated. The defensive wall and associated rectilinear field system could have originated from the 2nd millennium BC through to the 1st millennium BC. Other field systems and settlements are likely to be of later prehistoric or Romano-British origin. Elements of the field systems have influenced and are preserved in the modern ‘Pembrokeshire’ landscape which borders the headland.

Résumé

Cette courte étude décrit les vestiges d'occupations préhistoriques, des tombes à chambres, une forteresse sur promontoire, un rempart défensif préhistorique, un système de champs rectiligne et d'autres systèmes de champs sur des terres en bordure de la pointe de St David. Amateurs d'antiquités et archéologues connaissaient l'existence de ces vestiges depuis plus de deux siècles, mais ce n'est que grâce à des techniques modernes de prospection et à la photographie aérienne que l'on a pu en apprécier la véritable nature. Il se peut que l'origine du rempart défensif et du système de champs rectilignes qui lui est associé se soit étendue du 2ème millénaire avant J.-C. jusqu'au 1er millénaire avant J.-C. Il est probable que d'autres systèmes de champs et d'autres occupations datent d'une période plus récente de la préhistoire ou soient d'origine romano-britannique. Certains éléments de ces systèmes de champs ont eu une influence sur, et sont préservés dans le paysage du ‘Pembrokeshire’ moderne qui borde la pointe.

Zusammenfassung

Dieser kurze Artikel beschreibt die Reste von prähistorischen Siedlungen, Kammergräbern, einer Höhen¬befestigung, eines prähistorischen Verteidigungswalls, eines rechteckigen Feldsystems und anderer Feldsysteme auf dem Grenzland zu St David's Head. Altertumsforscher und Archäologen kannten diese Reste seit über zwei Jahrhunderten, doch nur mit Hilfe moderner Survey Techniken und Luftbildern kann ihr wahrer Charakter verstanden werden. Der Verteidigungswall und die zugehörigen rechteckigen Feldsysteme könnten aus der Zeit zwischen dem 2. und 1. Jahrtausend stammen. Andere Feldsysteme und Siedlungen sind wahrscheinlich aus der späteren Vorgeschichte oder aus römisch-britischer Zeit. Elemente der Feldsysteme sind erhalten geblieben und haben die moderne Landschaft von „Pembrokeshire“, die an die Headlands angrenzt, beeinflusst.

Resúmen

En este breve trabajo se describen los restos arqueológicos que se encuentran en un terreno marginal en St David's Head: asentamientos prehistóricos, sepulcros megalíticos, un poblado fortificado, una muralla de defensa prehistórica, un sistema rectilíneo de campos, y otros sistemas de campos. Anticuarios y arqueólogos han sabido de la existencia de estos restos por más de dos siglos, pero es sólo a través del uso de técnicas de reconocimiento modernas y de la fotografía aérea que su verdadera naturaleza puede ser apreciada. La muralla de defensa y el sistema rectilíneo de campos con ella asociado pudieron originarse en un momento que va desde el segundo milenio aC hasta el primer milenio aC. Otros sistemas de campo y poblados son, con toda probabilidad, de un periodo más tardío de la prehistoria o de origen romano-británico. Elementos de estos sistemas de campos han influenciado, y han sido preservados en, el paisaje moderno de Pembrokeshire que linda con el promontorio.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 67 , 2001 , pp. 85 - 99
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 2001

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