Moel-y-Gaer (Bodfari) is the northernmost of a series of hillforts atop
the Clwydian hills in north-eastern Wales. Nine seasons of survey and
excavation have revealed details of Moel-y-Gaer's ramparts, entrances
and interior. This small hillfort started with a single rampart, later
to be enlarged on the western side with an extra rampart and ditch. The
second phase rampart was constructed of dry-stone walling and increased
in width at least once. It was shown to be very different in character
to the earlier rampart. An early western entrance was no longer used in
the later phase, which saw the construction of an inturned entrance to
the north. There is little evidence for occupation within the enclosure
although a single roundhouse was constructed facing the northern
entrance. Radiocarbon dating establishes all the second phase activity
within the Middle Iron Age with the first phase rampart being somewhat
earlier. Discussion situates Moel-y-Gaer (Bodfari) within current
understandings of the later prehistoric settlement record for
north-eastern Wales paying particular attention to hillforts.