thesweetcheat

A NNW-SSE linear group of seven cairns crossing a hillside south of the Afon Ceiriog. Coflein descriptions (NNW-SSE):

Graig Wea I (SJ23893757)

A rather irregular, sub-oval cairn, c.15.5m NW-SE by 14m, and 0.9m high, much disturbed.

Graig Wea II (SJ23883745)

A round cairn, c.8.2m in diameter and 0.8m high, slightly disturbed.

Graig Wea III (SJ24053710)

One of a pair of round cairns found in close proximity (see also Graig Wea IV), c.20m in diameter, very much disturbed.

Graig Wea IV (SJ24093711)

One of a pair of round cairns found in close proximity, c.13m in diameter and 0.6m high, disturbed.

New Buildings I (SJ24323666)

One of a linear group of three cairns, c.11m in diameter and 0.7m high, ruined.

New Buildings II (SJ24353660)

One of a linear group of three cairns, c.10m in diameter and 0.4m high.

New Buildings III (SJ24403659)

One of a linear group of three cairns , c.12m in diameter and 1.3m high, disturbed.

Two barrows excavated in the 19th century, positioned on the summit of a hill overlooking the Gwendraeth estuary.

Coflein description:

Two barrows, at SN40530897 (Dat Prn1394) and SN40750900 (Dat Prn1393), each c.75’ in diameter and ploughed down to around 0.5m high.
Opened 1850 revealing possible mass cremation in the eastern barrow and an inhumation and separate cist in the western. Beaker fragments and a stone ‘axe hammer’ are reported from the barrows as a group.

This site has been recently (May 2013) cleared by the fine people of Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network (CASPN), leaving it easier to access and see than it has been for many years.

The site is listed in Craig Weatherhill’s excellent “Belerion” (Alison Hodge 1981), with a plan. There is a main group of 8 buildings, together with a triangular enclosure that may have been a pound. A Bronze Age date has been ascribed to the simple circular houses, which raises the possibility that this was the home of the people who erected the wonderful Nine Maidens of Boskednan stone circle and the Men an Tol, both of which are on the moors nearby.

The Pastscape record for the site mentions the following feature inside the settlement:

One item which appears to be associated with this settlement is a natural boulder about 0.9m sqare and 0.5m above ground, with a circular depression 0.15m in diameter and depth, cut into the top. It looks very much like a mortar and is adjacent to the NE side of the hut circle at SW 42813443.

The barrow was excavated by William Copeland Borlase (great-great grandson of William Borlase):

Six miles west of Penzance on the brow of a hill on the right-hand side of the road leading to the Land’s End, was an undisturbed cairn 38’ in diameter, mounted on a pile of natural rocks, and surrounded by a ring of 16 large granite blocks set on edge.

On 21st Aug. 1868 the author proceeded with some miners to the spot, and caused an oblong trench to be sunk across the centre of the mound. About 18 inches from the surface was a pile of rocks, (the natural formation of the crest of the hill,) as will be seen on the accompanying plan.

Under a large flat stone a kistvaen was revealed. 1’4” in breadth and 18” deep constructed of eight stones in two layers of four each. These side stones were purposely fitted closely round an urn, mouth downwards which was filled with bones and two chipped flints, two more of which were found outside the urn but within the kist.

The vessel, which had no bottom, was brownish and not well baked and was ornamented with the usual chevron pattern, placed horizontally. It had four pierced bosses or handles. The bones, probably of a woman were not so completely calcined as is usually the case.

The sloping rock in the centre of the barrow was surrounded on all sides with ashes and charred wood; and beneath it, when raised, was nearly a cartload of ashes, as white and fresh as if a fire had scarcely been extinguished from them.

W.C. Borlase – Naenia Cornubiae (1872)

The plan can be seen here.

Two cairns on the rocky ridge of Cribarth. Coflein descriptions:

Northern cairn (SN82901443)

A cairn of limestone boulders is located at the north-east end of a ridge. It measures about 19.8m in diameter though its precise size is hard to determine because it merges with scree on the west and south west. Its height is about 1.8m on the north and east, and 3m on the south-west. A length of massive kerbing is visible on the south side of the cairn. It is composed of limestone blocks set drystone fashion (rather than earthfast) and is visible for 5.5m.
The mound has been generally disturbed.

Southern cairn (SN82831420)

A cairn of limestone boulders is located at the SW end of a ridge. It measures roughly 13.7m in diameter though its precise dimensions are hard to determine because much of the cairn mass has collapsed down the sides of the ridge, especially on the W. Much of the centre of the mound has been modified into a shelter. The overall height of the cairn is now c.2m on the NE, 1.2m elsewhere.
A trig pillar lies to the immediate S.

Aerial photo here.

Description from “A Guide To Ancient and Historic Wales – Glamorgan and Gwent” – Elisabeth Whittle (1992 HMSO):

This is a large oval ring cairn, consisting of a low stony bank with level ground inside it. On the north-east side there are traces of the original kerb on the inner face of the bank. There is an entrance to the south which may have been lined by upright slabs; three are still visible, leaning or fallen. A smaller entrance on the north-west still has one of its jamb stones in place. On the south-east of the interior is a small cist with three of its sides still intact. Three small holes to the north may indicate the position of upright stones, long since disappeared.

The book has a plan of the ring cairn.

Three cairns on the lip of the escarpment at the north of Hirwaun Common, enjoying extensive views of the mountains.

Coflein descriptions:

Twyn Canwyllyr (SN9375304253)

Small cairn of 2m diameter and only 0.2m high. Moss covered. Small stones. Placed on a ridge with extensive views N to Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains to NW.

Pictures here.

Craig-y-Bwlch (SN94190354)

A cairn on the summit of Craig-y-Bwlch on a ridge with extensive views north to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. It is 10m in diameter and 1m high and flat in the centre where stones are exposed. A possible cist capstone is visible in the central hollow.

Pictures here.

Tarren y Bwlch (SN94810337)

Tarren-y-Bwlch Cairn is a round barrow 8m in diameter and 1m high. In the centre is a hollow 2m in diameter and 0.5m deep. It is prominently sited on a ridge with extensive views northwards to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains.

Picture here.

Group of three cairns on Mynydd Ty’n-tyle, on the ridge between the valleys of Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach. Coflein descriptions (north-south):

Cefn-y-Rhondda Cairn III (SS99189644)

A centrally depressed stony mound, 7.0m in diameter and 0.5m high.

Cefn-y-Rhondda Cairn II (SS99299631)

A denuded probable round cairn, although part of the ‘kerb’ on the west side appears to be bedrock. It is approximately 11m in diameter and up to 0.7m high on the west side and has an exposed slab in the centre. Set on a natural plateau, it has views across the other mountain tops but not to the valleys.

Cefn-y-Rhondda Cairn I (SS99279629)

A round cairn, 5m in diameter and up to 0.5m high. It is grass covered and in the centre is a 1m square depression with a possible cist wall exposed. Set on a natural plateau, it has views across the other mountain tops but not to the valleys.

Pair of small cairns, possibly clearance rather than sepulchral, on Mynydd yr Eglwys, on the ridge between the valleys of Rhondda Fawr and Rhondda Fach.

Coflein descriptions (NE to SW):

Mynydd yr Eglwys Cairn II (SS98199640)

A small cairn, 4m diameter and 0.5m high, and one of a pair. It is grass-covered but there are stones visible. It is probably a clearance cairn.

Mynydd yr Eglwys Cairn I (SS98159636)

A small cairn, 3m diameter and 0.5m high, and one of a pair. It is grass covered, but there are stones visible. It is probably a clearance cairn.

Pairs of cairns with disturbed cists on Tarren Maerdy, on the ridge between the valleys of Rhondda Fawr (to the south) and Rhondda Fach (north).

Coflein descriptions:

Tarren Maerdy Cairn I (SS97959720)

A round cairn approximately 9m diameter and 0.7m high. In the centre is a cist defined on three sides by pitched slabs, with smaller packing stones behind, 1.25 x 0.5m and 0.7m deep. The cairn is set back from the brow of the hill, and therefore there is no view to the valley below, only the hill opposite.

Tarren Maerdy Cairn II (SS98049709)

A mound on the brow of a hill overlooking the Rhondda Fechan valley to the the north-east. It is approximately 4m in diameter and grass covered but with several boulders, including one pitched slab that possibly lined a cist.

According to Coflein, the “upper” stone is a whipping post fashioned from the remains of a wheel cross. Nice.

It was thought that the northern part of Cooper’s Hill might be a promontory fort, but current views are that the “earthworks” are in fact quarry spoil. They do look quite earthwork-ish, so easy to see why this might have been thought. The whole area is a Scheduled Monument.

Various records at Pastscape here.

There is however a probable Iron Age cross-dyke, cutting across the neck of the summit ridge:

The cross-ridge dyke on Cooper’s Hill is probably of Iron Age origin, and is the only clearly recognisable defensive or boundary earthwork on the hill. The bank is 18ft wide by 2ft. high, with a ditch on the south side about 2ft. deep and from 12 to 20ft wide. The dyke runs straight for a total length of 655ft, and ends to the east against the natural edge of the ridge.

The northern slope of the hill also plays host to the lunacy of the annual cheese-rolling. I’ve stood at the top of the slope, it’d take more than a bloody cheese to throw myself off there.

Two cairns in forestry, one very damaged, the other on the highest point of the hill (528m OD).

Coflein descriptions:

Bachgen Carreg (SS90819810)

A ruined circular cairn, 8.0m in diameter and 0.5m high, set on a parish boundary and bearing the name of a stone rather than that of a cairn.

Mynydd Blaengwynfi summit (SS90659737)

A circular, stony mound, 7.6m in diameter and 0.6m high, capped by an OS triangulation pillar.

There are two cairns on Mynydd Tynewydd, currently in forestry. One of them, Garn Fach, has not conclusively been shown to be man-made.

Like the cairns on nearby Craig-y-Llyn, they are soon to be surrounded by the construction of the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm.

Coflein details:

Y Garn Bica (SN94250051)

A boundary cairn, 10.4m high and 0.6m high, robbed and capped by an OS triangulation pillar.

Garn Fach (SN94490009)

A possible cairn, 5.5m in diameter and 0.6m high.

There are four cairns in a rough quadrilateral near the summit of Craig y Llyn, which at 600m OD is the highest point in South Wales outside of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The cairns are all currently in or on the edge of forestry, which has caused much structural damage. However, over the next few years the forestry to the south is to be extensively reduced to make way for a wind farm.

Coflein details for the four cairns (north-south):

Y Foel Chwern (SN89840388)

A cairn, c.8.0m in diameter and 0.4m high, that when excavated following forestry related damage, produced no finds. The monument is damaged but has an orange painted, sawn-off telegraph pole protruding from it.

Craig-y-Pant (SN89560367)

A damaged cairn, 13m by 8.5m and 0.9m high, mutilated by a ploughed fire-break to the SW. Traces of kerbing have been reported.

Garn Fach (SN90740327)

A cairn, 10.1m in diameter and 0.6m high, topped by a modern stone pile, 1,7m high.

NB: current OS 1/25000 mapping is misleading, as the cairn is immediately adjacent to the south side of the track, rather than to the north.

Carn Foesen (SN90780288)

A mutilated cairn, 9.1m in diameter and 0.6m high, on the W a cast iron boundary post marks the meeting of three parishes.

Immediately adjacent to this cairn is a modern memorial:

“This plaque marks the spot where the body of Willy Llewellyn, aged 5, was found. He was lost at Aberaman on the afternoon of April 11th 1902. Work ceased at local pits and after a search by the whole community his remains were discovered on April 26th. He is buried at Cefn Cemetery.”

Three Bronze Age disc barrows in a county generally lacking such monuments. The barrows are situated to overlook the River Severn’s floodplain.

Pastscape links:

pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1354764

pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1354766

Destroyed standing stone, a good match for other stones in the vicinity (the Longstone, the Broadstone). Pastscape provides details of the stone’s sorry fate:

The Longstone, a sandstone megalith, formerly stood about half-way along, and 15 to 20 yds. in from, the northern hedge of a field still called “Longstone Field”. It was destroyed in 1875, but has been described by a local farmer as being about
6 1/2 ft. above ground level by 4 ft. broad, narrowing to 2 to 2 1/2 ft., by 1 1/2 to 2 ft. thick; although Rudder gave its dimensions as 10 ft. high by 6 ft. broad by 5 ft. thick. A portion of the stone about 18 inches square is still to be seen at the well at Closeturf Farm (SO 585048), where it is used as a water-bucket stand.

pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=109412

Group of plough-reduced round barrows form part of a major complex of prehistoric sites, including Four Stones, a palisaded enclosure, causewayed camp, various standing stones and a possible cursus, all within sight of the Radnor Forest mountain barrow cemetery to the WNW and Burfa Bank hillfort to the east, while excavation has revealed a continuation of occupation from the Neolithic into the Romano-British period.

Coflein descriptions as follows:

Upper Ninepence barrow (SO25126136)

A ploughed-down barrow, c.42m in diameter and 1.3m high.

Excavation, 1994, demonstrated that a BA barrow had been raised over a Neo settlement/occupation site; a RB hearth was recorded upon the surviving barrow material, the whole having been much affected by 19th C. rabbit farming activity.

Hindwell Ash barrow (SO25706111)

Plough-damaged barrow, 36m in diameter and 1.1mhigh, surmounted by an Os triangulation pillar: trial excavation, 1992-3, on the N part of the monument produced evidence for BA activity underlying the barrow, which had two hearths, one RC dated to the l.IA – e.RB period, upon its surface.

Hindwell Farm barrow II (SO25226091)

A round barrow, 36m in diameter and 1.1m high. The barrow is adjacent to the Hindwell Palisaded Enclosure (NPRN: 309366).

Hindwell Farm Barrow II is a Scheduled Ancient Monument

Hindwell Farm barrow I (SO25376064)

A barrow, 34m in diameter and 1.0m high.

There are six barrows set in a curving line from the summit of the Whimble at the southwest to the summit ridge of Bache Hill to the northeast. All are intervisible with some (but not all) of the others. The barrows are situated on or just below the 2,000ft contour. Some cemetery!

Coflein descriptions (J. Wiles 2002-2004), SW-NE:

Whimble barrow (SO20516263)

The barrow, 19m in diameter and 1.2m high, is set upon Wimble, a conical hill, and has a more recent cairn, 11m in diameter and 0.6m high, superimposed upon it.

Whinyard Rocks barrow I (SO20786312)

One of a pair of barrows, 19m in diameter and 1.6m high.

Whinyard Rocks barrow II (SO20846317)

One of a pair of barrows, 14.5m in diameter and 1.2m high.

Bache Hill barrow III (SO21126343)

A barrow, 10m in diameter and 0.5m high.

Bache Hill barrow I (SO21396365)

A round barrow, 20m in diameter and 3.0m high, diched, with traces of a counterscarp. There are indications of possible excavation trenches and an OS triangulation pillar atop the mound.

Bache Hill barrow II (SO21626367)

A barrow, 17m in diameter and 1.25m high.

Excavation finds, from a 1939 excavation by Audrey Williams, included two slingstones, bones of red deer, ox, pig and sheep or goat, together with various shells of molluscs. A Roman brooch and iron finger ring, and a fragment of plain Samian pottery indicate IA occupation continuing into the Roman period. A single hut circle was found just inside the inner rampart.

Info taken from “Prehistoric Sites of Gower and West Glamorgan” (Wendy Hughes, 1999 Logaston Press).

Coflein (J. Wiles 2002) description:

An enclosure, c.48m by 36m, formed by two lines of ramparts and ditches cutting off an inland promontory, the outer ditch utilising a natural fault. Entrance to the enclosure appears to have been from below the N side of the promontory, by-passing the ramparts.

Aerial photo here.

This is the easternmost of the many cliff forts to be found on the Gower Peninsular.

Coflein (J. Wiles, 2002) has this brief description:

A level area of promontory, c.55m by 30m, is cut off to the W by two lines of defences, the outer, said to follow a modern field boundary, barely tracable, the inner being a bank and ditch.

Pastscape page contains descriptions of the rows.

Jeremy Butler’s “Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities Volume 3 – the South-West” (1994 Devon books) contains detailed plans of the rows and of the terminal cairns.

Hawks’ Tor is a prominent rock outcrop to the SE of the settlement. Approaching from Saddlesborough summit cairns it greatly resembles a quoit or portal dolmen.

William Crossing notes it:

This is a small pile, but a very curious one. One end of a large slab of granite rests on what is the main part of the tor, its other end being supported on a boulder standing on the lesser and lower part of the tor, a kind of small chamber thus being formed beneath it. There is some reason for supposing this arrangement to be artificial, though it is difficult to see what the object could have been intended for. It has been suggested that it was a dolmen. Polwhele, writing in 1793, says that several had supposed it to be such, though he was not of that opinion.

From “Crossing’s Guide To Dartmoor” (2nd ed 1912).

Descriptions of the cairns from Jeremy Butler’s “Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities Volume 3 – The South West” (1994 Devon Books):

A number of cairns occupy the summit and higher slopes, including a large ring cairn on the highest point next to the triangulation pillar. A circular bank 19m across, dug into at several points, surrounds a natural block but an otherwise flat interior. Numerous stone pits crater the hillside and several have been dug into the cairn constructed against the Tor rocks just north of the summit. Its stones have been widely scattered, completely distorting the shape, and the deep central cavity reveals the natural boulders at its core. A third cairn near the lower end of a row of tinner’s pits descending the eastern slopes is now reduced to an outer rubble rim, broken through on the south side where almost the whole of the interior down to ground level has been carried away. Some of the remaining larger slabs are set on edge both within the mound and around its base. The steep outer profile of the remaining portion suggests it must have been an impressive bowl-shaped monument about 16m in diameter.

Jeremy Butler’s excellent “Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities – Volume 3 – the South-West” (1994, Devon Books) has a plan of this extensive settlement and notes that since the encroachment of the clay works to the north, there are 27 hut circles and 7 associated enclosures remaining.

The settlement is situated on the northern slopes of Saddlesborough, the summit of which was graced with a number of (now-damaged) cairns. It is not inter-visible with West Saddlesborough/Shaugh Moor settlement and field system and a substantial reave separates the two.

A further enclosure to the north was destroyed by clay workings, but was fully excavated prior to destruction. Dates for the start of the settlement may be as early as 1870 BC, with intermittent occupation well into the Iron Age.

Jeremy Butler (Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities Volume 3, 1994 Devon Books) has a brief description of this cairn:

Strangely, the large cairn (11.0 x 1.4m) has escaped comparatively lightly. Its top has been hollowed but part of the retaining circle remains despite the deep gouges into its base.

Pastscape (Fletcher MJ and Probert SAJ, 1997) has this:

SX55326346. The remains of a turf-covered cairn located on a west-facing slope at 253m above OD and adjacent to the line of the reave. It measures 8.9m to 10.5m across and is 0.8m high. Four or five kerb stones are visible mostly in the north-west quadrant; two are 0.4m high. The cairn has been disturbed and debris partially infills a robbing trench of the terminal reave

The cairn is scheduled.

Two cairns on steep-sided hill looking towards the mouth of the Afon Nedd. Coflein details (J Wiles, 2002):

Cairn I (SS72039476)

A centrally disturbed round cairn, 18.3m in diameter and 1.5m high; possible kerbing has been observed.

Cairn II (SS72019470)

A sub-circular cairn, 5.0m by 4.0m and 0.3m high, set in an area where clearance heaps have been noted, but also about 43m SW of a presumed sepulchral cairn.

Two associated cairns here. Coflein (J. Wiles 2002) has this:

Cairn I (SJ16955324)

One of two cairns set on the summit of Moel-y-waun and bisected by a community boundary, c.16m in diameter and 0.9m high, much mutilated.

Cairn II (SJ16895332)

c.11m in diameter and 0.6m high, much disturbed.

The cairns are on the edge of an area of access land and various footpaths provide routes to the cairns.

Another site added that gives me an excuse to extol the virtues of Susan Cooper’s “Dark Is Rising” sequence. The fourth part, The Grey King, features Llyn Mwyngil at its climax, where six knights (the “sleepers”) rise from the waters of the lake to overcome the power of the Brenin Llwyd, the Grey King of Cadair Idris.

The lake is also referred to in one of the poems that feature through the sequence: “By the pleasant lake the sleepers lie”.

Nearby hillforted Craig yr Aderyn features in the book as well.

The fort was recorded in the 17th century by Sir William Dugdale, who mentions “Rampires whose Height and Largenesse do still shew the Strength”, together with a discovery of Neolithic polished axes in the fort. Info taken from “Southern England – An Archaeological Guide” – James Dyer (1973, Faber).

Pastscape has details of the fort itself.

Substantial barrow 24m in diameter, marking one of the bounds of Exmoor Forest. It has had various recorded names in the past, including Osmundesburgh (1219) and Owlaman’s Burrow.

Unusual barrow, presumably Bronze Age in date but containing a large number of Mesolithic micro-flints.

According to Pastscape, “Ninety eight Mesolithic artefacts from Wilderness Barrow opened by W J L Abbot are in the British Museum; Tunbridge Wells Museum holds another 125 artefacts”.

Large bowl barrow, 18.3m diameter by 1.4m high. Contained a crouch burial high up in the mound, accompanied by an antler hammerhead now in the British Museum.

There must be some folklore to be had, with a name like that?

Info from “Southern England – An Archaeological Guide” – James Dyer (1973, Faber):

Opened in 1869 the central mound of the Three Barrows contained a cremation burial, with a small grooved bronze dagger, bronze pin, a pygmy cup and a necklace with beads of lignite and fossil encrinite.

Other barrows nearby produced inverted urns containing cremations. Finds were in Rougemont House Museum, Exeter, but this has closed and it is not clear where the objects are now, unless anyone can help?

Barrow cemetery of about nine barrows, located on the northern edge of Exmoor. One the barrows excavated in 1883 by George Doe yielded a ribbon-handled urn of Cornish Trevisker type, inverted over a cremation burial. Now in Exeter Museum.

[info from “Southern England – An Archaeological Guide” James Dyer (1973, Faber).]

Pastscape details here.

Hemmed in by road and motorway, intruded upon by pylons and buildings, this site stands on a minor eminence overlooking the mouth of the river Nedd and possibly guarding access to the river’s navigable lower reaches.

Coflein (J. Wiles 2002):

Warren Hill enclosure is an oval enclosure, originally c.130m NE-SW by 94m, defined by a bank, reduced to a scarp; the north part destroyed by road construction and the interior mutilated by recent activity.

Observation of cuttings indicates that the circuit was ditched and that there was an inner, ditched and ramparted, enclosure.

Small hillfort separated from the Mynydd Llangatwg scarp by the Nant Onneu. Coflein (J. Wiles, 2002) has this:

The defended enclosure at Coes Pentwyn is an irregular defended site occupying a ridge terminal. Bivallate defences define the west of a roughly heart-shaped enclosure measuring c138m by 75m, and completed by scarps elsewhere. There is an involved inturned entrance on the north.

and some nice high-level views.

Cairn sited on the steep slopes of Pen Tir, the southeastern ridge of Mynydd Llangorse.

Can be found by following a steep, narrow path through bracken heading uphill from the Coed y Gaer promontory “fort”.

Coflein description (courtesy of David Leighton, 2006):

“Cairn I, Pentre, is a robbed round cairn located on the sloping nose of a ridge, at a point where it levels out slightly, at an altitude of 330m above sea level. The cairn measures 13.5m (E-W) by 12.5m and 1m high on the S, the mound merging with rising ground on the north. An earthfast slab on the north perimeter measuring 0.35m long, 0.2m high and 0.03m thick is a possible kerb stone.
The interior has been hollowed out to form a central depression 3m (E-W) by 2m and 0.6m deep. The entire mound is overgrown with gorse.”

Coflein lists round barrows here, but no further information. Added as a companion piece to Merthyr Mawr Warren, another prehistoric landscape lost beneath shifting sands.

It also seems that prehistoric footprints, like those on the Gwent Levels have been found here as well.

Complex round barrow excavated 1974-76 in advance of destruction through quarrying.

Beaker finds are on display in the British Museum.

Full description on Pastscape here

A fine urn from the barrow is displayed in the British Museum, in the “Enlightenment” Room.

Pastscape info:

Excavated in 1938 when a primary EBA inhumation with a copper awl was found, and a secondary MBA cremation with urn, awl and beads. There were two other secondary cremations, both unaccompanied and pottery fragments recovered included Beaker, MBA & RB (including Samian). The primary grave was surrounded by a ditch with five causeways.

Coflein indicates that there are/were five cairns here, as well as a pillow mound which appears to be one of the “cairns” marked on the OS 1/25000. North-south descriptions:

Cairn IV (ST11066604)

Nothing that I could see on the ground, Coflein has:

This is one of a group of mounds excavated in the nineteenth century, when it was found to be encircled by a shallow ditch. The only small finds were two pieces chert and several horse teeth.

Cairn I (ST11046603)

A cairn, excavated in the 19thC, now comprises an annular bank measuring 7m in overall diameter, 1.5m internally, with a height of 0.5m. It is eroded on its W side.

Cairn III (ST11066600)

The cairn exists as a kerb of stones, most noticeably on the S and W where the kerb is 0.2m high, enclosing an an area of gravel and small stones measuring 5.9m (N-S) by 4.8m. It is spread on the N side and eroded to a height of 0.1m on the E.

Cairn II (ST11066598)

Described in 1873 as the most southerly of three mounds, it was partly removed to make a platform while the remainder of the stones were subsequently removed to make a flagstaff mound.

Cairn V (ST11096596)

Didn’t see this one either.

A small mound, 3m in diameter, excavated in late 19thC without result.

....................

Pillow mound (marked as “cairn” at ST11036612)

A grassy earthen mound measuring 14m (E-W) by 9.1m and 0.5m high. It is surrounded by a 0.3m deep ditch which is completely eroded on the E; its inward-facing scarp is 2.3m wide on the N & S

Canmore description (1999):
This fort occupies the top of the narrow rocky ridge above Samson’s Ribs and is defended around the northern half, where the ridge is most accessible, by a single stone rampart. Elsewhere, the ridge drops precipitously and there are no visible traces of any man-made defences. On the NE, below the crest of the ridge, stretches of the outer face of the rampart still survive formed by large boulders, and in some places standing two courses in height. Along the crest of the ridge, the rubble core of the rampart can be followed as a spread of smaller stones 1.5m thick. A cleft between two outcrops indicates the position of the entrance on the NW, and leads from an external annexe on this end of the ridge into the interior. The annexe is also enclosed by a stone rampart, which can be followed along the N side but is lost on the rocky slope forming the S side of the crag; the entrance to the annexe is on the NW. Within the SE corner of the annexe, the stone footings of a wall extend for about 14m, but its date and function are uncertain. Only one possible structure is visible in the fort, and this comprises little more than an arc of stones on the S and a shallow scarp at the base of rock outcrop on the N.

Finds in and around the fort include (more from associated Canmore records):

In 1969 a fine intaglio-sadonyx (? idealized bust of Alexander the Great), set in the remains of an iron ring, was found by a boy under a stone which may have been part of a structure in the interior of the fort. It belongs perhaps to the 1st century BC, but was presumably lost after 80 AD.

A sepulchral deposit containing a cinerary urn was found, probably in 1846, immediately above Samson’s Ribs when the Queen’s Drive was being constructed. The urn was broken to fragments by the workmen.

Two Late Bronze Age socketed axes were found in 1846 during the construction of the Queen’s Drive. They are both in the NMAS, one (Acc No DQ 89) being donated as Treasure Trove in 1846, while the other (DE 16) was donated by Wilson in 1863. They were found E of Sampson’s Ribs (NT 274 725), but W of where the swords described on NT27SE 82 were found (approx NT 279 726). Wilson and Chambers both state that these axes were found along with a pygmy vessel (Chambers wrongly referring to spearheads instead of axes) which was also donated to the NMAS in 1863 by Wilson (Acc No: EC 11). Coles, however, giving no reason, does not accept this association.
Wilson, from the reticence of the labourer from whom he obtained his axe and pygmy vessel, considered that there had probably been more articles in the hoard.
D Wilson 1863; R Chamber 1855; J M Coles 1962; Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1862.

Hoard, found near Queen’s Drive, east of Samson’s Ribs on Arthur’s Seat, in 1846.
1140. (Socketed axe: Luncarty variant of Gillespie type). Socketed axe, smooth, green, partly trimmed, oblique scratch marks on blade. Length 92mm, mouth 31 x 35mm, cutting edge 59mm, weight 360gms. (Socketed axe of Everthorpe type). Socketed axe, smooth, light-green, untrimmed, sandy surface encrusted, haft ribs. Length 89mm, mouth 22 x 25mm, cutting edge 44mm, weight 135gms.

A stone now built into a wall at Cantraybruich, moved from its original location. Canmore description:

A cupped stone was found in May, 1881, face downwards, in a field, below and a little to the NE of Cantrybruiach, to which it has been removed, Mr Hamilton, tenant; the finder. The stone is a slab of local reddish-yellow sandstone 5ft long by 2 1/2 – 3ft broad by 9 – 10ins thick with some 35 cup-marks.

This cup-marked stone has been built into the garden wall of Cantray bruich at NH 7777 4621. Only one face can be seen, containing at least 18 cup-marks. No knowledge could be gained regarding its original find-spot.

Composite description from Canmore:

Dalcross Mains, a Clava passage grave, has had most of the cairn material removed flush with the top of the chamber which is almost 12ft diameter. The kerb is 40-42ft diameter. One monolith survives with a slab to the west of it.

It has been quarried in the NW segment. 10.0m NE of the latter, a further stone, 0.7m high, has possibly been displaced from the inner kerb. Two portal stones remain in the SW, and the outline of the central chamber may still be seen.

Cairn or hut circle (or even possible broch) on hill above Scrabster. Canmore has varying interpretations:

The ‘Bell Mount’ is a small, turf-covered mound of earth and stones measuring about 20.0m in diameter over all, with an average height of 1.2m. Its flattish top has a diameter of about 8.0m. Two small modern mutilations are on its N edge. It is more likely that this is the remains of a cairn and not a broch.

Visited by OS (W D J) 16 April 1962.

Bell Mount is as described by previous OS field investigator and lacks any distinguishing features to enable positive classification. However, the position on a prominent eminence and the absence of any visible large stones, in situ or loose, suggests a cairn rather than a broch.

Visited by OS (N K B) 19 August 1976.

A grass-covered hut circle, comprising a subcircular enclosure, 14.5 by 13 by 0.5m high, with depressions and mounds.

R J Mercer 1981.

The OS 1/25000 shows three cairns here, the Grey Carn itself and two other long cairns. Canmore lists all three, the two unnamed long cairns are named as Glenurquhart. However, in “The Chambered Cairns of the Central Highlands” (2001 Edinburgh Eniversity Press), Audrey Hensall and Graham Ritchie suggests that neither of the long cairns, which they name as Glenurquhart South West and North East, are long cairns at all (Appendix 1, p. 239).

Canmore description for Grey Cairn itself:

Grey Cairn, prominently placed on a ridge, stands to a height of about 2.0m and measures about 20.0m NE-SW by about 18.0m transversely. There is a recent hollow in its NE arc. There is no evidence to support Woodham’s suggestion that it is chambered. It stands on a stony platform about 0.3m high which is surrounded by a stony sub-circular bank about 2.0m wide retained externally by a kerb of stones on edge and measuring about 26.0m NE-SW by about 24.5m transversely overall. None of these stones seems large enough to be the kerb of the cairn itself and it appears that this platform and bank are original features, and not due to the robbing which has mutilated the cairn particularly on the NE. At the moment the cairn sits eccentrically within the bank and merges with it in the E, but this is probably due to the way the cairn has tumbled and partly to the robbing.

Another incredible concentration of prehistoric remains cover the slopes of Cwm Moel, with little to mark its existence on the Ordnance Survey map.

There are c.30 cairns (mostly clearance, but with some probable burial cairns intermixed), several hut circles and building platforms of prehistoric date, as well as field system remains.

There is also a single burnt mound at SO03811154, the only element of these remnants to make it onto the OS 1/25000 (Explorer). Coflein description:

A cooking mound is located on the W bank of a stream. The crescentic mound measures 14m (NE-SW) by 10.7m. Open to the stream on the SE, it is about 11m across the ‘horn’ tips. A track crosses the NE edge of the mound reducing it somewhat, but the SE side survives to a height of 1m.

Coflein lists an impressive array of approx 40 cairns on the western and southern slopes of Garn-Ddu, although interestingly nothing on the summit ridge, despite the extensive views of the Brecon Beacons ranges.

The largest scale Ordnance Survey map (1/2500) survey shows only 9, which are probably the principal burial cairns in the groups. Many of the smaller cairns listed on Coflein are likely to be clearance cairns, although also of a probable prehistoric date.

The principal cairns (i.e. the ones shown on the OS 1/2500 map) are:

Garn Ddu Cairn XXV (SO01931195)

Round cairn approx. 3m in diameter X 0.20m in height. Possible burial cairn.

Not shown on 1/25000 (Explorer)

Garn Ddu Cairn I (SO01921189)

Round cairn approx. 3m in diameter X 0.15m in height. Slight depression in centre. Possible burial cairn.

Not shown on 1/25000 (Explorer)

Garn Ddu Cairn III (SO02601187)

Raised spread of turf covered stones. Oval in shape c. 6m X 3m. Maximum height c. 0.70m. Possible burial cairn.

Garn Ddu Cairn (SO02581190)

Remains of round cairn c. 8m in diameter X c. 1m in height. Partially turf covered around edge.

Garn Ddu Cairn XXVIII (SO02591196)

Remains of round cairn c. 5m in diameter X 0.40m in height. Slight depression in cemtre indcating disturbance. Likely burial cairn.

Garn Ddu Cairn XXVII (SO02651200)

Remains of round cairn c. 5m in diameter X 0.20m in height. Slight depression in cemtre indcating disturbance. Likely burial cairn.

Garn Ddu Cairn XXVI (SO02751203)

Remains of turf covered round cairn, c. 5m in diameter X 0.20m in height. Likely round cairn.

Garn Ddu Cairn X (SO02731199)

Not shown on the OS map 1/2500 or 1/25000.

Remains of round cairn, c. 7m in diameter X 0.70m in height. Slight depression in centre indicating former disturbance. Likely burial cairn.

These two lie further away to the SE of the summit:

Garn Ddu Round Cairn (SO03121211)

A possible robbed-out cairn, overall diameter 6.5m and a maximum height of 0.4m, comprises a roughly circular bank of consolidated mixed grade stones in the centre of which is a pile of loose rubble 2m in diameter and 0.2m high. A scatter of loose material lies to the S.

Cwm Moel, Cairn (SO03241199)

Remains of former round cairn , approx. 6m in diameter X 0.30m in height. Stone scatter surrounding feature.

There is also a possible ring cairn, not shown on any OS maps:

Garn Ddu Cairn V (SO02571184)

Remains of likely former ring cairn c. 12m in diameter. Height c. 0.25m. Central area has depression indicative of disturbance. Adjacent stone pile may be source of depression. Channel running E-W through centre, may be robbing or else former excavation.

Slightly odd one. Coflein has the following, which conjures up visions of a shapely, slender stone, not to mention a gauntlet thrown down to the TMAer:

Standing stone on Garn Ddu. It is c 1m high tapering to a point at the apex, and is set in a stone-lined socket. No trace of the stone could be found(GGAT). At time of 2003 field visit stone not located.

The realiity is rather less shapely. It is about 1m (bit generous) and it does taper, but it’s more a squat block.

Directions

There are two ways to find the stone, one makes for an easier find, but is more difficult to negotiate, the other is easier to negotiate but less likely to find the stone:

Route 1 (wet): Follow the bridleway up from Llywn-on Reservoir past Fedw (look out for modern standing stones in the garden). Carry on along the path as it climbs through the woods. When you come out of the wood, into open moor (access land), follow the fence-line SSW. The ground is very boggy and marshy, wear decent boots! You will come to a corner where a very low drystone wall heads away east, curving away from a straighter fence to leave a little elongated “D” shape enclosure between the two. Walk alongside (or on) the wall, keeping an eye on the grassy slope rising to your left. When you get almost to the end of the wall, the stone is revealed as a low spot of grey-white in the surrounding reedy grass.

Route 2 (Drier): Follow the bridleway up to the access land as Route 1. Rather than turning SSW, carry on along the bridleway. After a maybe 100 yards, head due south down the slopes to your right. (If you reach a ford on the bridleway, you’ve gone too far). You may see a small stone amongst the grass halfway down the slope, with what looks a little like a cupmark in its top. If you find this, you’re going the right way. Keep going straight down the slope, before you reach the drystone wall at the bottom, you should see the top of the stone protruding from the grass.

NB: I have had to assume that this is the stone, on the basis that (a) it’s precisely where the Coflein blue dot is (b) it tapers and (c) there aren’t any other stones in that area at all.