Carreg Pumsant, Dolaucothi

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameCarreg Pumsant, Dolaucothi
Alternative NamesGogofau; Penlan Wen
Historic CountryCarmarthenshire
Modern AuthorityCarmarthenshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityCynwyl Gaeo

Large mound, c.8m high x 15m in diameter. It was once thought to have been a Norman motte, but has been shown by excavation to be made up of mining spoil derived from the nearby gold mines. (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Although clearly made of mine spoil this doesn't necessarily exclude later use and adaptation as a Norman motte, although other evidence, such as the lack of a bailey are more persuasive that this is not a castle site. There may have been some residual gold prospecting here in the medieval period but it is questionably this was of sufficient intensity to warrant the expense of a castle. See also Allt Ogofau, another spoil heap of this mine suggested as a motte.

- 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 ReferenceSN663403
Latitude52.0452690124512
Longitude-3.95125007629395
Eastings266300
Northings240340
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 46 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 60
  • RCAHMW, 1917, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Carmarthenshire (HMSO) p. 29-30 no. 113 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
  • Nash-Williams, 1950-2, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies Vol. 14 p. 80 (plate)