{{Short description|Hillfort in Ceredigion, Wales}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox ancient site |name = Hen Gaer |native_name = |alternate_name = |image = Ancient and Modern - geograph.org.uk - 1337165.jpg |image_size = 240px |alt = |caption = Looking north-east across Hen Gaer |map_type = Wales Ceredigion |map_alt = |map_size = 200px |altitude_m = |location = Near Bow Street, Ceredigion, Wales |region = |coordinates = {{coord|52.4403|N|4.0127|W|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:GB}} |gbgridref = SN 633 844 |type = Hillfort |part_of = |length = |width = |area = |height = |builder = |material = |built = |abandoned = |epochs = Iron Age |cultures = |dependency_of = |occupants = |event = |excavations = |archaeologists = |condition = |ownership = |public_access = |website = |notes = }} '''Hen Gaer''' is an Iron Age hillfort, on a hill adjacent to and east of Bow Street, Ceredigion, Wales.
Other names of the hillfort are '''Broncastellan''' and '''Caer Shon'''.<ref name=coflein>{{Coflein|num=92249|desc=Hen Gaer|access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>
==Description== Hen Gaer ("Old Castle") is smaller than a typical tribal fortification. It is strongly defended; the single rampart is about {{convert|12|m}} wide and {{convert|3|–|4|m|0}} above the interior, with a rock-cut external ditch. On the north-east side, carefully laid stone blocks of the original rampart wall can be seen. The main entrance is on the west side. There is a circular mound outside the entrance: it is not an earlier barrow, but may be a defensive feature.<ref name=coflein/><ref name=houlder>Christopher Houlder. ''Wales: An Archaeological Guide''. Faber and Faber, 1978. Page 114.</ref>
The enclosed area includes some of the southern hillslope; it is thought this may have been to make the fortification visible from the narrow valley below, at the confluence of Afon Stewi and Nant Seilo forming Afon Clarach.<ref name=coflein/>
==See also== * Hillforts in Britain * List of Scheduled prehistoric Monuments in Ceredigion
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Hillforts in Ceredigion Category:Scheduled monuments in Wales