Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 April 2011
The archaeology of Dyfed in the first millennia B.C. and A.D. is largely that of defended enclosures. The distribution of these is described. This suggests the existence of three zones of defended enclosures, reflecting differences in environment and socio-economic systems, particularly differences in the relative productivity of different areas. The results of recent excavations are described and discussed in terms of chronology, economy, function and status. The excavations at Llawhaden—which have included the total excavation of three small enclosures—provide a key sequence, covering the whole period in question, with which other excavations can be compared. Throughout much of the period differences in the development of settlements can be related to the environmental and socio-economic differences between zones. In terms of function and status, it can be suggested that the majority of totally excavated defended enclosures were high status sites.