The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

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Llangwnnadl Menhir (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Images (click to view fullsize)

<b>Llangwnnadl Menhir</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Llangwnnadl Menhir</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Carn Fadryn (Hillfort) — Images

<b>Carn Fadryn</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Carn Fadryn</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Carn Fadryn</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Carn Fadryn (Hillfort) — Fieldnotes

Once you've reached the village of Garnfadryn, there is plenty of space to park near the sadly forlorn looking chapel.

Follow the marked path and after about 200 yds keep straight on instead of bearing right. After that it's just a steepish climb. Tread carefully! I saw a common lizard sunning itself on a rock on the edge of the path (it wasn't too bothered about me).

The views from the summit are spectacular in all directions. The highlights for me were the round stone walls of the hut dwellings - still intact. Very similar to Tre'r Ceiri, not on such a scale but wonderful nonetheless.

Soak it up!

Bryn Celli Ddu (Chambered Cairn) — Images

<b>Bryn Celli Ddu</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Bryn Celli Ddu</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Moel-y-Sensigl (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Images

<b>Moel-y-Sensigl</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Fach-Goch (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Fieldnotes

A must see - surely a choice of alignments with the peaks of Snowdonia forming a stunning panorama.
Easy to find but beware the surrounding land is very boggy!

Fach-Goch (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Images

<b>Fach-Goch</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Harlech Circle (Cairn circle) — Images

<b>Harlech Circle</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Harlech Circle</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

The Idol Rock (Natural Rock Feature) — Images

<b>The Idol Rock</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>The Idol Rock</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

The Idol Stone (Cup Marked Stone) — Images

<b>The Idol Stone</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>The Idol Stone</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Backstone Beck 5 (Cup Marked Stone) — Fieldnotes

About 50yds up the path from Backstone Beck West look to your left. In the bracken you will see a large flat stone with these rather bigger than average cups.

Backstone Beck 5 (Cup Marked Stone) — Images

<b>Backstone Beck 5</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Backstone Beck 5</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Grassholm (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — News

Prehistoric roundhouses on Grassholm


9.5% of the worlds' gannet population live on this tiny island just 200 meters across. A combination of the expanding colony and droppings on a biblical scale has led to some interesting findings.
The full report can be seen HERE

Fairy Stone (Cottingley) (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Images

<b>Fairy Stone (Cottingley)</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Fairy Stone (Cottingley)</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Fairy Stone (Cottingley) (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Fieldnotes

Visited in October 2012, here are some directions.

Turn off Cottingley Moor Road onto Lee Lane then continue ahead instead of following the road round to the left. Loads of space to park by Lee Farm. Then follow the Millennium Way path across the fields and into the woods. Shortly a path will lead off to the right before it gets steeper. At this 'junction' look to your right (North) you will see a rather inviting glade in the deciduous woodland. The stone is on this side on the edge of the grassy clearing about 20 yards to the NE of a large flat-topped rock which makes a good reference point.

This stone is really worth taking the time to find - a striking and enigmatic carving in a beautiful setting (try to ignore that the area is used for camping, etc by a Scout group). I found myself mesmerised, wondering what the inspiration/meaning could have been to those who created it. There is a natural fissure which divides the two main designs, and the intriguing thing is the deep cup-and-ring which is entirely separate.

Just to add to the folklore item below, according to the book by Joe Cooper, the two cousins always fiercely maintained that they had seen the fairies, and despite the scientific tests there was one photograph out of the 6 or 7 which could not be proved to be a fake.

Stoke Flat (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Stoke Flat</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Stoke Flat</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

The Devil's Arrows (Standing Stones) — Images

<b>The Devil's Arrows</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>The Devil's Arrows</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

The Tree Of Life Rock (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Fieldnotes

Once you've crossed the field and are on the moor itself the stone wall dog-legs to the left and this is where the rock is - in a direct line with Carr Farm and the radio mast.
It really is a beautiful carving.

The Tree Of Life Rock (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Images

<b>The Tree Of Life Rock</b>Posted by jones-y-gog

Snowden Carr I (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Fieldnotes

Near the track on the right leading to Carr Farm there is a gate and the large panel is in this field, about 15 yards away.
The carving is very clearly defined - a perfect example of cup and ring - so much so that it may have been protected by vegetation till relatively recently.
About 500 yards further to the west over the wall and on the moor itself is the exquisite Tree of Life - definitely worth a visit.

Snowden Carr I (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Images

<b>Snowden Carr I</b>Posted by jones-y-gog<b>Snowden Carr I</b>Posted by jones-y-gog
I would trace it back to 1991. That's when my fascination with ancient sites and all things megalithic began.

Why? I was in my 1st year of University and it was a year of classic albums - Nevermind; Screamadelica; Achtung Baby; Loveless; Blue Lines. It was also the year Peggy Suicide was released, which, looking back was a logical progression to Autogeddon and Jehovahkill.

My visits to sites over the years has been haphazard and sporadic but the emotions are always there. The first one is simple to explain: anticipation, but the second isn't. It's a kind of ethereal, spiritual feeling, beyond definition. I suppose it's to do with feelings and the link to our ancient past.

My usual habitats are mainly split between North Wales and Yorkshire. I am Welsh by birth - Cymro Cymraeg - my roots are in the old shires of Caernarfon and Meirionnydd, but am proud to have been given the title 'honorary Yorkshireman'!

Currently I am on a photographic odyssey which I hope can celebrate both the ancient stones manipulated by people as well as rocks shaped by the elements.

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