For me, the key – assuming there is possibility of consensus of opinion regarding such a topic – to understanding Bronze Age upland cairns is to view them from their neighbours. Or at least from altitude. Here, upon the ascent of Y Garn, the great cairn upon Disgwylfa Fawr (top right of image) is obvious. At time of posting Kammer will know better than I the form and vibe it possesses. But I am now intrigued and wish to experience it for myself. Which is what TMA is all about, is it not?
Note Dinas, a little below and to the right of the prominent forestry (upper left), and the sheep within the pastures of Lle’r Neuaddau (centre right). The latter’s fine cairn circle overlooks the gorge of the Rheidol, to left.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Thats a cracking photo, and the description below spot on.
Steady, now...... I'll get worried if people are going to start agreeing with me.
"The key to understanding Bronze Age upland cairns is to view them from their neighbours. Or at least from altitude. " Who couldn't agree with that.
It is a bit good, and put like that it seems very territorial.
The conclusion I seem to be coming to is that while the earlier Neolithic (communal) tombs appear inclusive, often set upon false crests so they can be seen from the settlement area, these Bronze Age upland cairns are usually (but not always, it has to be said) difficult to see from below, set back from the skyline. In other words unless you were up at their level you were not in on the scene.
Guess it's a moot point as to whether the whole community used to climb up the hills to enact whatever ritual took place (unlikely - ? - seeing as they are often, by definition, in pretty hostile places, not good for the elderly or children) or just the priests/shamans? I favour the latter view and reckon these monuments were exclusive, an elite power trip.
I agree but they could still be an extension of an earlier territory as well and people passing in the hills would also know of the people below, no cairns no people, i think more people than people think would have been up in the hills for travel because a lot of the lowlands were to boggy and overgrown back then and if not was someones Farm or territory, who saw the cairns and who used them are probably different sets of people, it's still a bit like that know isn't it? it's good to be in the hills and mountains away from farms even now.