Looking across Cwm Ystwyth towards Bryn Copa (centre right) descending from the great cairn surmounting Bryn Dafydd to approx south-west. Pen-y-Garn, with another large Bronze Age cairn, surmounts the far left summit of the ridge (centre), with Pumlumon’s ultimate Bronze Age cemetery looming background left.
From an article on BBC News web site:
A Bronze Age gold disc used as an item of adornment at a burial 4,000 years ago has been declared treasure trove by a coroner at Aberystwyth.
The disc dating back 4,000 years was discovered at Cwmystwyth Mines near Aberystwyth – and is only the third known piece of gold from the Bronze Age discovered in Wales.
In November, the inquest had to be adjourned because the disk was not presented in court by representatives of the National Museum of Wales.
The find – roughly the size of a milk bottle top – is said to be as significant as the famous Mold cape – thought to have been worn as a garment for religious ceremonies by a great authority.
From an article on BBC News web site:
An ancient gold disc which was used as an item of adornment at a burial 4,000 years ago has been discovered in Ceredigion.
Experts say the priceless sun disc is the first one of its kind to be found in Wales and only the third known piece of gold from the Bronze Age uncovered here.
The disc found by chance by an archaeologist digging at Copa Hill at the Cwmystwyth Mines – 10 miles outside Aberystwyth – was the subject of a treasure trove inquest heard by Ceredigion coroner on Tuesday.
In Clearance & Examination of Stone Building on Copa Hill (SCMC Journal No.2), Colin Armfield writes:
The historical evidence for mining at Cwmystwyth begins with the opencast workings at the top of Copper Lode on Copa Hill, to the south of Kingside Lode. This area has provided dates of approximately 1500BC.
From Colin Armfield’s Web Site.
Found among the mining devastation of Bryn Copa, Cwm Ystwyth, 2002. Here, that industrial cloud had a golden lining.....
Article giving more details about the site and finds (including photo of someone wearing the gold disc).
An excellent photo showing the hill, with distinctive scarring from centuries of mining.
