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Montgomeryshire: Latest Posts |
Showing 1-10 of 954 posts. Most recent first | Next 10 
Moel y Gadfa (Round Cairn) — Images (click to view fullsize) |
     
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Posted by GLADMAN31st December 2023ce |
Moel y Gadfa (Round Cairn) — Miscellaneous |
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Despite being featured upon current OS mapping I'm pretty confident that a visit to the obscure Bronze Age cairn located upon the south-eastern spur of Moel y Gadfa - the high moor ( at 1,669ft) overlooking the minor road linking the mountain pass Bwlch-y-Groes and Llyn Efyrnwy - will not grace many antiquarian-themed itineraries. Ha! Upon second thoughts, very confident... To be fair, the terrain to be found here - to the east of the magnificent Arans - is probably an acquired taste and, as such, likely to appeal only to those with a penchant for avoiding the crowds and immersing themselves in the landscape - hopefully not TOO literally, one would hope. It is pretty hard going underfoot... but hey, nothing good comes without a little effort, right? In the event I struggled to find the monument owing to fence lines on the ground not mirroring what was shown upon my map, this disorientating me more than a little as hill fog swept in to further confuse matters with reduced visibility... and driving rain. However, find it I did. Eventually. Coflein notes: "A much disturbed & spread round cairn, in the region of 7.5m in diameter & 1.0m high." [RCAHMW AP94-CS 0027 J.Wiles 26.07.04] |
Posted by GLADMAN 30th December 2023ce |
Moel y Gadfa (Round Cairn) — Links |
Moel y GadfaA very obscure Bronze Age cairn between Bwlch-y-Groes and Llyn Efyrnwy, east of the mighty Arans. |
Posted by GLADMAN 29th December 2023ce |
Moelfre (Round Barrow(s)) — Links |
Moelfre, northern Pumlumon foothillsA reminder to always check out the summit of even the lower Welsh hills... you never know, |
Posted by GLADMAN 9th October 2023ce |
Moelfre (Round Barrow(s)) — Miscellaneous |
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There are a number of 'Moelfre's across the length and breadth of Wales... hardly surprising, since I understand the name basically means 'hill'. This one, however, has been on my 'list' for some time since it is one of the few featuring that iconic 'Antiquarian typeface' on the OS map. To be fair, however, I arrive at Bwlch Glynmyndd to the north-east more in anticipation of the expected views than archaeological splendour. Needless to say, things are not as straightforward as they may appear from a simple perusal of the map..... OK, the views ARE magnificent, the deeply riven hills north of Pumlumon forming a twisted, convoluted landscape of sublime aesthetics. However, the expected site of the monument, indicated below and to the southwest of the summit, reveals a 'possible' circular feature, probably natural? Certainly nothing to write home about. Fortunately, the views most certainly are.. Eventually, I return to the 1,539ft summit and everything suddenly becomes clear. For here is located what very much looks like a substantial Bronze Age round barrow, more-or-less inviolate. As it happens, the professional archaeologists agree, Coflein noting: "A barrow, 17.5m in diameter, from 0.7m to 2.7m high, apparently undisturbed. There is no notice of any ditch. [J.Wiles 16.04.02]" So what of the OS feature? Is this a mistake - plain and simple - or is there indeed something there? |
Posted by GLADMAN 8th October 2023ce |
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