1.1 Background

Archaeological sites of national importance are given legal protection by being placed on a 'Schedule' of monuments. Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, the Welsh Ministers are required to compile and maintain this schedule.

In Wales there are over 4000 examples of Scheduled Monuments, which include Roman remains, burial mounds, castles, bridges, earthworks, the remains of deserted villages, industrial sites and 20th century military complexes etc.

Scheduled Monuments cannot include in use ecclesiastical buildings or monuments occupied as a dwelling (other than by a Caretaker) and unlike Listed Buildings they are not assigned grades.

1.2 Frequency of Update

In Wales, monuments have been scheduled since the 1920s and this process has continued and is ongoing. Scheduled Monuments can be subject to a 'Revision', where new archaeological/historical evidence regarding the monument has required an alteration to the map depiction. Monuments can also be removed from the Schedule in a process called 'De-Scheduling'.

This is the current, live version of the dataset.

To avoid re-using old data, users should periodically obtain the latest version of the data from here.

1.3 Depictions

As the majority of the data was captured before the advent of Ordnance Survey MasterMap, it has been subject to a programme of Positional Accuracy Improvement. We believe that the spatial depiction provides an accurate depiction of the asset, but if you wish to see a copy of the original, legally definitive map or to discuss a designation depiction please contact the Welsh Government Historic Environment Service (Cadw).

Some Scheduled Monument depictions such as a Hillfort dating from the Iron Age will encompass the Scheduled area as a single depiction, whilst others such as a group of Bronze Age burial barrows may be depicted as being spatially separate, but together comprise a single Scheduled Monument.

1.4 Use of Data

There are no use restrictions on this data. Recipients may re-use, reproduce, disseminate this data free of charge in any format or medium, provided they do so accurately, acknowledging both the source and copyright as specified (see below),, and do not use it in a misleading context. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose, that dissemination or publishing does not result in duplication, and that it is fairly interpreted. 

When using the above data under the Open Government Licence, please include the following attribution statement: -

Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), DATE [the date that you received the data from Cadw], licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

1.5 Other Information

Further information regarding Scheduled Monuments can be found on the Historic Environment Service (Cadw) website by following the link below: -

Scheduled Monuments | Cadw (gov.wales)

The Designation description is available online via Cof Cymru – National Historic Assets of Wales by following the link below: -

Search Cadw records | Cadw (gov.wales)

General Advice

Interpretation advice should be sought where necessary. This information is checked periodically, however, if you would like to discuss the dataset, please contact the Historic Environment Service (Cadw).