Caer Lêb

Caer Lêb is a Roman and mediaeval site on the Welsh island of Anglesey, west of Brynsiencyn. Its name means "Leaven Castle". It is a low-lying site near the Afon Braint with a double row of pentangular banks (some parts now levelled) and marshy ditches. The original entrance was on the east, other gaps are modern and caused by animals. Based on the excavation of a similar site elsewhere on Anglesey, it may date from the 2nd century BCE. Excavations in 1865 found structures within the enclosure, rectangular buildings on the east and a circular one on the south. Nothing of these can now be seen on the ground. Pottery from the 2nd century to the 4th century was found, and on the north side a layer of periwinkle shells and a mediaeval coin, under a layer of peat. About twenty-five paces north-west of these earthworks there stood, some thirty years ago, the ruins of a large house, described by the tenant who removed it as being 24 yards long by 18 wide. Its walls were from 4 to 5 feet thick, consisting of large boulders, a great number of which, owing to their size, he had much difficulty in displacing. It had the sills of several wide windows in position. Retaining in view the history of the locality, we may not be far wrong in supposing that the stone materials of this house were taken from the neighbouring ruins of an earlier date. a A circular foundation, diameter, 18 feet; thickness of walls, 3 feet 6 inches; marked a on the plan. b The outer side of the wall, of very rude masonry, floored with slabs of limestone. In the centre of the hut was found a large stone mortar in situ, the upper edge being about the level of the floor. Diameter of the circular hole, 1 foot; depth, 6 inches. At one side of the hut, close to the wall, was what had evidently been the fireplace; layers of burnt matter (a kind of red ash) being found there, whilst around were scattered numerous teeth and bones, principally of the ox, also a few oyster-shells. Part of a well-finished quern (the…