Historic background
There are several recorded late prehistoric
enclosed settlements within this area, and the nature of the
field pattern (irregular-shaped enclosures defined by stone
rubble banks and heavily lyncheted) gives the impression of
a landscape originally shaped in the late prehistoric period,
possibly with post-medieval additions, but with relatively
little recent interference. This has been a transition area,
always on the cusp between the uplands and lowlands
There are only two farmsteads in the area,
both of which give the impression of being post-medieval encroachments
onto the edge of the mountain waste (possibly re-using earlier
similar encroachments). There is no recent settlement or activity
apart from the incongruous 20th century reservoir and waterworks.
Key historic landscape characteristics
Late prehistoric settlement and field
systems, upland edge encroachment
This area lies on the mid hill-slopes between
areas 01 (improved pasture, 19th century enclosures) and 02
(largely unimproved land). It is quite distinct from both principally
by virtue of its field pattern and agricultural use and history.
This area is dominated by irregular, often sub-circular, large
enclosures (there is not a straight line or carefully-constructed
drystone wall in sight) and although only a few prehistoric
settlement sites are recorded, recent fieldwork suggests that
many more remain to be found. In plan, the irregular field
pattern (and the altitude and location) suggest that it may
represent post-medieval encroachment on to the fringes of the
upland waste, but many of the field boundaries are distinctive,
mainly comprising stone rubble banks, often quite spread and
no longer stock-proof (see photograph), and curvilinear in
plan. Many are also heavily lyncheted, with height differences
of up to 1m between different sides. By comparison with other
areas in Gwynedd, these suggest a prehistoric date (at least
in origin) or many of the fields. There are several minor water-courses
running through the area which must always have been relatively
productive agricultural land but which has escaped modern improvements.
Some of the fields have been cleared (for agricultural purposes)
while others remain full of natural stones and boulders. This
area is similar in character to area 13.
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Landscape Character Map
