A type of small ring fort found in Ireland and southwest Wales. The fort, rarely more than 60 meters in diameter, was enclosed by a bank with an outer ditch. Rath is generally used to describe a fort with earthen banks, while a stone-built fort is described as a cashel. The oldest forts belong to the late Iron Age/Roman period of 1st century BC-4th century AD in Wales and in Ireland they are from the 5th-10th centuries AD. Some of these raths were re-used by the Normans as the foundations for small motte and bailey castles, while others continued to be occupied until the post-medieval period.