The Eastern Rampart : Moelfre Uchaf Beyond

© Kanovium Project

This east view shows the remains of the quite slight east wall, which can be clearly seen left to be a fairly well constructed square section drystone wall, quite possibly in the manner of the Romans.  The wall may never have been much higher than this as behind the trees the limestone plateau drops away in the form of muddy scree slopes and thorn bushes, no assault on the fort would have been envisaged from here, despite the narrow path which goes down to the spring of Llys Awel, the find spot of a 4th century votive hoard.  All this area in front of the photographer and behind away to the curved north east gate shows the highest incidence of occupation, with many areas of nettle growth which usually indicates occupation, and possibly at the time of Roman interest in the site.  This rampart continues south east, but like the opposite side of the fort the cliffs are steep, tall and broken, the rampart continues but in almost a half hearted manner, to reach the high point from which image 1 was taken from.  This high area has remains of low mounds (which I have never been able to spot) known locally as ‘soldier’s graves’ they turned out to be composed of ash and are probably bronze smelting areas, taking advantage of the high winds which always seem to be present up here even in the winter.  The rampart here looks like it has been cleared of undergrowth, as while the left area is square and the stone blocks are evident, beyond it takes the form of an earthwork, presumably by Gardner in 1906.  This view has the small hill of Moelfre Isaf as a backdrop.