Circle 278 forum 2 room
Image by thesweetcheat
Circle 278

Two views on 278

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Burl describes Circle 278 as a ring cairn 12.2 x 10.7m with a low stony bank up to 2.4m thick.

The images previously posted for this site do not match this description and, for comparison, I have added one which fits the description better.

The other images appear to be of a nearby feature which Frances Lynch describes ("Gwynedd" for CADW) as " a double line of 1m high stones crossing a hollow. They may have formed a barrier across the entrance to the [Druids' Circle] sanctuary. However, stones to the west of them surrounded a late cremation burial. Had they marked the edge of the sacred area, this should perhaps have been on the other side. Several have obviously been overturned and interpretation is difficult"

CARN has the following
- Druids' Circle SH 7228 7464
- Semi Circular Features (Period unknown) SH 7226 7463
- Ring Cairn SH 7216 7457

The stones which were posted at 278 look old and should probably be included in TMA. The trouble is they do not match the description of Circle 278 used by Burl (neither Lynch nor CARN uses this name).

Should the existing 278 entry be renamed (not sure what though) and a new 278 site created with the ring cairn photo I have posted?

Should have said that the ring cairn photo is of a site a little SW of Druids' Circle and not visible from there or the stone setting.

A friend went up on Penmaenmawr on Friday and saw the ring cairn that you claim to be Circle 278:

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/25505

and I agree with you: your photo is of Circle 278 and the others are of another feature (though I know not what).

In Prehistoric Wales (Lynch/Aldhouse-Green/Davies) there is a sketch plan of Circle 278 which shows it as a ring cairn with a wide bank within two circles of stones.

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