Thomas Pennant visited the area in the 18th century, and noted the existence of the hillfort. In 1860, James Halliwell-Phillipps wrote that the outline of the hillfort was obscured by vegetation, and identified the workings of a Roman lead mine on the hillside. The Welsh knew these excavations by the name "Ffos-y-bleiddiaid" ("Ditch of the Wolves")[2]