The settlement at Bachaethlon

Image: © Richard Law Taken: 30 Nov 2008

Photographed from the public footpath on Hopton Uchaf hill. Bachaethlon does not form part of 'The City' which is a very specific collection of houses in an almost closed dingle to the left of this picture. This name is probably C19th whereas the term Bachaethlon was a 'township' in the parish of Kerry, with references possibly as far back as the C14th. The photo captures the probable lines of a mediaeval field system showing in the frosted ground to the immediate left of the first house. These lines are seen very rarely. On the right of the house immediately below are showing two probable boundaries (once hedges?) of uncertain age. In the field in which these are found is also evidence of ridge and furrow which show more clearly - even without frost or snow and further to the right of them (but obscured by the branch in the picture) are 'platforms' and ditches that indicate some form of settlement (again of uncertain age but probably mediaeval). Thanks to Ian Ball for this local knowledge

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