Allt Pant Glas, Llanpumsaint

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Other/Unknown)

There are earthwork remains

NameAllt Pant Glas, Llanpumsaint
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCarmarthenshire
Modern AuthorityCarmarthenshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityLlanpumsaint

Salter writes 'mound 9m across on top in trees by farm' Davis writes 'Tip of ridge cut off by massive bank with deep ditch in front. Possibly unusual form of ringwork or unfinished Iron Age Fort.' RCAHMW describes as 'A small scarped platform has been secured by the construction of a bank, with no apparent ditch.'

Although scheduled as a Motte the monument is perhaps better characterized as a defended enclosure dating to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). It consists of a massive single bank and ditch cutting off an eastward facing spur of land above the Nant Brechfa and a tributary stream. The bank is c 7m high from the ditch base and extends c 20m east to west. The ditch is partially rock cut and is c 5m deep. The east and south sides of the interior fall steeply, the north less so and here a hollow way approaches up slope from the north east. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Variously given Iron Age or Medieval date with no real evidence or certainty. The location has some strategic value for the control of a road in a narrow pass but nothing to really suggest medieval settlement.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSN421259
Latitude51.9098205566406
Longitude-4.29588985443115
Eastings242170
Northings225960
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 253 (listed as possible)
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 58
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 38
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 47 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 58
  • RCAHMW, 1917, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Carmarthenshire (HMSO) p. 180 no. 540 online copy

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124