Location

South Stack, south of Holyhead, Anglesey (Ynys Môn), Wales.

Overview

Resting under the gaze of the Caer Y Tŵr hill fort on the slopes of Holyhead Mountain, on the extreme west of Anglesey, are the remains of an Iron Age farming community that originated in 500 B.C. and endured for a millennia. The first excavations in the 1860's were followed by more in the 1970's, and together they discovered the remnants of some 50 buildings scattered across up to 20 acres of the hillside. The buildings come in various shapes and sizes; large roundhouses, but also much smaller outbuildings which may have served as workshops or housed livestock. Amongst these structures are about 8 complete farmsteads, though it is believed that not all of them were in use at the same time; there may not have been sufficient population to inhabit them all continuously, or we can imagine that it was their practice to occupy one hut whilst the dilapidated stone foundations of another were redressed and the old timbers and rotten roofing replaced.

The dry stone walled foundations are, of course, all that now remains of these structures, but on top of these there would once have been a timber frame to support a thatched or turfed roof. Some of the entrances are formed by some not inconsiderable passageways, which most likely would have afforded some protection from the bitter coastal winds. Inside there is evidence of ledges and basins incorporated into the stonework, and also sunken structures which were likely used for storage. Charcoal of heather and sedge has been discovered on the site, and it is thought probable that these were used for bedding or flooring.

The surrounding land was ploughed by the community; wheat, oats and barley seeds have been discovered, though it is unlikely that such farming could ever have been intensive in this landscape. The rearing of livestock appears to have been their chief concern, but evidence of limpet and periwinkle shells offer a clear indication that food was also taken from the sea.

Photographs