thesweetcheat

Two cairns on Long Scar Pike, a prominent hill from Oddendale stone circle.

Pastscape info:

Cairn at NY 59331086

Round cairn 35m east of the summit of Long Scar Pike. An oval mound of limestone rubble up to 2.5m high with maximum dimensions of 28m north-south by 22m east-west. Much of the surface of the monument is composed of small pieces of limestone, but beneath this layer are larger blocks of the same material. There is an irregular-shaped hollow up to 0.35m deep at the mound’s centre. The monument is not known to have been excavated. The surface of the cairn has been disturbed by the construction of a modern cairn in the middle of the monument; scheduled.

It was probably in this cairn that a group of cists, the skeleton of a very tall man, and fragments of a sepulchral urn were found in 1885. And it is also probable that the urn fragments were those ‘from Crosby Fell’ presented to the Cambs Mus of A & E by the
excavator.

Cairn at NY 59741135

Round cairn 670m north-east of the summit of Long Scar Pike. A circular mound of limestone rubble 11m in diameter and up 0.7m high that has been piled on the limestone pavement. A small modern cairn has been built by walkers on the eastern side of the monument; scheduled.

Brief Coflein details:

Carn-ddu, a round cairn is situated on the end of a spur above the source of a stream. The centre has been pulled out; there is no evidence of a cist. Approx. 18m in diameter X 1m high. Depth of hollow c. 1m.

One definite barrow (and shown on the OS 1/25000), together with another possible barrow nearby.

Coflein info:

Barrow at ST38148913

Re-visited and surveyed 02/99.

Located on a SE-facing slope, currently under the plough and planted with barley, the mound now measures 16m (E-W) by 21m and 0.5m high. Ten years ago the mound was under pasture and significantly larger.

Possible barrow at ST38148911

A low ground swelling, barely measurable and only a few cms. high, is perhaps a severely eroded burial mound accompanying its scheduled neighbour some 20m to the N in a field currently under the plough.

Goldcliff is a multi-period site that has yielded finds from the Mesolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age (as well as Roman and a medieval Benedictine priory).

Prior to the reclamation of the coastal plain from the sea by the Romans in the thrid century AD, Goldcliff was an island (hardly much out of the water though, judging by the contours here).

Gerald of Wales, writing in the 12th century, noted that the name was due to the golden appearance of the cliffs when the sun struck them.

Mesolithic finds include a carbonised hazelnut shell, as well as a tentative identification of the site of a frame used for smoking fish. There were large quantities of fish and animal bones. It is considered that Mesolithic occupation of Goldcliff consisted of a series of transitory hunting camps.

Remains of a sewn plank boat from the later Neolithic or early Bronze Age have been found at Goldcliff.

In the Iron Age, there was a more permanent settlement, including the remains of seven rectangular buildings made from oak planks, dendro-dated 273-271 BC. The remains of 13 Iron Age trackways have also been found at Goldcliff, connecting settlements across the bogs. Cattle appear to have been kept within the Goldcliff settlement.

[Information taken from “Exploring Gwent” by Chris Barber (1984 Regional Publications (Bristol) Limited) and “Prehistoric Wales” by Frances Lynch, Stephen Aldous-Green and Jeffrey L. Davies (2000 Sutton Publishing Limited). The latter book includes a photograph of one of the rectangular Iron Age buildings.]

Two of the most imagination-firing sites in Wales, although you can’t see anything.

The Severn/Hafren shoreline on the Gwent Levels has revealed evidence of Mesolithic seasonal visits. Although the shoreline itself largely follows the line it took 6,000 years ago, the land behind the flood defences was reclaimed from the floodplains initially by the Romans, so would not have been as dry as it is now.

At two sites, Magor Pill and Uskmouth, high tides in the 1990s revealed two sites that bring home the human story of this area vividly.

At Uskmouth (ST3482) three trails of footprints were found preserved in the intertidal mud. Two trails 10 metres apart run in parallel for 25 metres and are the footprints of adult men. The third trail is that of a child. From the prints the height and walking speed of the makers can be determined. A perforated antler mattock was found 370m SE of the footprints, at the same level.

At Magor Pill (ST4484), less than 10 miles up the coast, a single trail of footprints was uncovered 90m south of the present shoreline. The prints were larger and suggest a man with size 12 feet, standing just under 2m tall.

[Information all taken from “Prehistoric Sites of Monmouthshire” by George Children and George Nash (Logaston Press 1996).]

Information from the English Heritage Scheduling Record for Lacra B:

A circle of six granite boulders, some standing and some fallen, enclosing an area of approximately 14.7m in diameter. The stones are irregularly shaped and vary in height between 0.35m-0.95m. Limited excavation of the monument in 1947 located a stone socket hole and suggested the original circle consisted of eleven stones. Additionally a central funerary cairn of earth and stones c.9.7m in diameter and up to 0.6m high constructed upon the old land surface was discovered. A flint flake lay upon the top of this mound. In the north east sector of the circle, also lying on top of the mound, part of a ring of stones, each about 0.6m long and pointing towards the centre of the circle, was found. An earthfast stone presently protruding above the turf line in the north west sector of the circle represents a continuation of this ring of stones which measures c.4.8m in diameter. A layer of earth considerably reddened by fire and considerable amounts of ash wood charcoal were found during the excavation near the centre of the mound just above the old landsurface. Below the very centre of the mound, under some large stones, fragments of burnt bones were all that remained of the primary burial. An excavation trench was extended to the east of the stone circle. Here an arrangement of stones was discovered lying on the old landsurface, which is thought to form either part of a ring encircling the standing stones, or one of a heap of stones assembled at the four cardinal points of the circle to help in the construction of the circle.

No-one seems particularly convinced of this site.

Pastscape (under the record for Lacra D) states:

An alleged second circle immediately to the north-west [of Lacra D] comprises three pieces of stone visible at ground level and cannot be certainly identified

Aubrey Burl in A Guide To Stone Circles Of Britain, Ireland and Brittany (Yale) states that Lacra E is “a very uncertain ring cairn” that “can be imagined 25ft (8m) to the north-west [of Lacra D]“.

Information from Pastscape, based on the most recent EH visit. Also includes consideration of the avenues and Lacra E:

The stone circle and associated remains at Great Knott, Lacra were visited by English Heritage field investigators in June 1999. No measured survey was carried out and fieldwork was limited to surface examination of the remains. Almost all of the stones depicted on Barlow and Dixon’s plan of 1947 (1) were identified but a substantial number were thought to be natural rather than artificial features.

The stone circle, at SD 5214 8125, is poorly defined, few of the 7 visible stones remaining upright or emerging much beyond ground surface. It was beside the northernmost stone of this circle that an inverted mid Bronze Age urn was recovered during excavations in 1947 (see authority 1). At the centre of the circle is a large flat stone. Barlow and Dixon also noted a possible outer circle but since this consists of only 4 stones in the south-east quadrant this identification must remain uncertain. An alleged second circle immediately to the north-west* comprises three pieces of stone visible at ground level and cannot be certainly identified.

An alignment of stones runs from the stone circle, in an ENE direction, for about 46m and comprises 10 or 11 stones, including the two in the circle. Some of the stones in the alignment are paired but there is some irregularity in the layout.

The alleged avenue to the WSW of the circle seems to be little more than a natural scatter of boulders and stones, some of which have been revealed by water erosion of the boggy slack in which most of them lie.

*This is Lacra E.

Pastscape information:

The stone circle at SD 1497 8133 was visited by English Heritage field investigators in June 1999 as part of the National SAMs Survey Pilot Project.

The circle is situated on a south-facing, natural terrace, with extensive views along the coast and over Walney Island. The remains of the circle comprises 5 stones still in situ and two probable displaced stones; the northern quadrant is clipped by a farm track and the latter two stones have been pushed to either side of it. A number of other smaller stones lie in the immediate vicinity of the circle; it is possible that they may represent the ploughed out remains of a central burial cairn.

Field Investigators Comments

Amy Lax/22-JUN-1999/RCHME: National SAMs Survey Pilot Project

Coflein information for this now-vanished coastal barrow:

In 1958 fragments of a narrow rim cinerary urn were found, and in 1967 a portion of a small collared urn in an inverted position, resting on a thin charcoal layer overlain by rubble 0.3m thick.
No traces of the barrow now remain.

The name really doesn’t do justice to the tantalising Coflein details:

A disturbed circular mound, 10m in diameter and 0.4m high, thought to be that opened in c.1942, when three/four encisted inhumations and a drystone and corbelled passage, were observed but not recorded.

Cists, corbelled passages, blimey!

Pastscape description:

Two stone circles, thought to be the remains of Celtic or native RB round houses, were seen by Dr Scott-Garrett and Dr Savory c 1953, and were examined in 1966 by N P Bridgewater, who found the largest circle to measure about 50ft in diameter. The stones appeared to have been roughly shaped, and on the edge of the smaller circle was a massive block bearing transverse grooves which may have been artificial.

Two stone circles lie on level ground which has recently been planted with conifers.

a. ST 55119815. An almost circular wall of stones measuring 11.0m east to west and 15.0m north to south. The wall averages 1.5m in thickness and is up to 0.6m high, consisting of large and small stones.

b. ST 55139812. A circle of stones having a diameter of 10.0m. The wall, up to 0.5m in height and 1.2m thick consists of small and large stones.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Although the site is in England, the Ordnance Survey map indicates that it is maintained by CADW.

EH Scheduling description:

The monument includes a stone cairn situated just below the crest of a south facing slope in the Forest of Dean. The cairn has a stone mound which measures 6m in diameter and is about 0.5m high. Two large stone slabs, about 1m long lie parallel to each other about 0.4m apart on the centre of the mound. Around these are scattered a number of large limestone slabs, forming a roughly circular cairn. It is possible that the cairn was disturbed during the course of unrecorded excavation in the past.

Pastscape has the following about accessibility:

This barrow, which is shown on a map by G Ormerod, was searched for unsuccessfully by Dr Scott Garrett and by L V Grinsell, its site being occupied by a dense patch of brambles.

A roughly circular heap of stones at ST 5437 9874 is some 5.0m in diameter and 0.4m high. It appears to be the remains of a cairn.

Condition poor and very overgrown.

Coflein description:

An oval enclosure, c.72m NW-SE by 46m, defined by a bank and ditch across the neck of its promontory to the SW, elsewhere by scarps above steep natural slopes.

The OS 1/25000 shows this as a “tumulus”, Coflein states “Round Barrow?“.

Description:

A mound, c.30m in diameter and 1.0m high, set in a valley bottom location, close to the Usk.

Coflein description:

A cairn, 14m in diameter and 0.6-1.5m high, marking a community boundary and traditionally a beacon mound.

GGAT description by comparison suggests this wasn’t the Beacon site:

A grass covered round cairn some 14m in diameter and varying in height from 1.5m at the northern edge to 0.60m at the south. It has been dug into at the centre and shows traces of stone and earth construction. There are no indications to show that this was the site of the beacon mentioned by Edmund Jones in 1779 and the description given by him is no way similar to this feature.

Finds from the excavations, carried out by Trevor Rowson in the late 1970s, included a large beaker sherd. This is currently on display in the offices of Blaina Town Council.

The Beacon described in detail by Edmund Jones in 1779:

The Beacon, called Ty Wyneb y Nith, i.e. Nest face House, because of its resemblance, to a Bird’s-nest, because the stones at the top falling inwardly round and within, and falling partly outwardly about it on all ides, hath given it very much the shape of a Bird’s-nest both within and without, but much broader at the bottom than at the top. The compass of the Terrace at the bottom being about forty Yards, the compass of the mouth or brim about twenty Yards. It is not perfectly round, either within or without, but very much so, nor is the hollow mouth of it very deep, yet when the Wind blows very strong, there is a shelter in it for any one that would lie down, or sit in the hollow of its top; as I myself experienced . . . It is the ruins of a very old Edifice built for a prospect, and to give warning to rise the Country in time of war for their own defence . . . a little to the South from it, there is a Pool of Water of several yards compass, and of a considerable depth; which I think is not a natural but an artificial one, made at the time, and for the use of the Building.

Coflein description:

The Ridge Dyke which runs across the Cefn Man Moel ridge comprises an earthen bank measuring approximately 270m in length by about 5m in thickness and up to 0.7m in height. The associated ditch, situated to the north-west of the bank, measures about 2.5m in width and about 0.6m in depth. It is not always evident why cross ridge dykes were built, but the monument has been variously interpreted as a boundary defining political influence or a boundary marking land allotment within communities.

Coflein description:

Remains of a large cairn, situated on the north-east side of a prominent ridge on Cefn Manmoel. Stone built and roughly circular on plan, measuring about 12m in diameter and up to 1m in height. A small rectangular brick and concrete structure (probably a pillbox or observation post dating from WWII) has been inserted into its north-west side. The cairn commands fine views over the valley to the east.

Coflein description:

Twyn Bryn March round cairn is situated in open moorland above the Nant Milgatw. It is a low, stone built cairn measuring about 5.5 meters in diameter and 0.2 meters in height, with a slight central depression.

Coflein descriptions:

Cairn I (SO0995004950)

Ring cairn or robbed complex cairn. A circular platform about 14m in diameter and .4m high, partly stoney and partly grass-grown.

An uneven and disturbed cairn in the form of a stony platform 14m in diameter and 0.4m high with a raised rim. The latter is insufficiently well defined to constitute a ring feature.

A trig point (a steel tube filled with concrete) has been placed on the N edge of the cairn.
Otherwise unchanged since 1964 (RC) and 1979 (OS).

Cairn II (SO1012004910)

A small denuded cairn, 5m in diameter but irregular, and 0.3m high, with turf over stone. It is located close to holloway.

Pentwyn cairn (SO1011204358)

A small low cairn measuring 4m (north-south) by 3.5m, and up to 0.3m high. Its centre has been robbed out but there is a large natural boulder, on end, 1.6m long and at least 0.6m wide and 0.2m deep, which probably formed the capstone of a cist.

Pentwyn ring cairn (SO1005004300)

A denuded ring, c.2.0m wide, enclosing an area c.6.1m in diameter, showing possible traces of internal kerbing.

There are two separate Iron Age earthworks on this hill. Coflein descriptions:

Tump Wood Camp (SO11272150)

Tump Wood Camp is a multivallate hilltop enclosure, with an internal area of c.120m by 68m.

Pen-y-Wenallt enclosure (SO11162095)

The partly bulldozed, sub-rectangular enclosure at Pen-y-Wenallt measures 55m N-S by 42m, and is defined by scarps, or banks, and ditches.

Lancashire and Lancaster (and Kirkby Lonsdale) take their names from the River Lune, which rises in Cumbria and flows for 44 miles to the Irish Sea.

Speculative origins for the river’s name include a Celtic word meaning “pure” and a possible derivation of a local Celtic God called Ialonus.

[Added for Postie, better late than never!]

Sitting on top of a flat-topped hill, SE of the Little Galva rock outcrop are two very overgrown cairns, which Pastscape indicates to be ring cairns:

Both features are ring cairns, situated on the summit of a ridge.

SW 43473565

This cairn, much robbed, is 9.0m overall diameter and is formed by a circular bank of stone and earth averaging 1.5m across and from 0.2m to 0.6m high.

Originally it probably had a double retaining circle but now only three of the outer stones remain.

SW 43493563

Overall diameter 12.0m, formed by a circle of stones and earth 1.5m wide and up to 0.7m high. Some retaining stones survive on the inner side of the ring.

In addition to the late Iron Age courtyard house settlement scattered around the Beehive Hut, there is a single, earlier hut circle of simple circular plan lying to the SE at approx SW438359 within a field system.

Summary of descriptions from Pastscape:

Centred SW 4160 3695
[Extends from SW 4167 3695 to SW 4170 3685] Wall [SW 4167 3691]

The headland concerned is ideally situated for defence and consists of a prominent granite outcrop oriented NNW-SSE. On the north, west and south sides there are steep rocky cliffs descending to the sea. Only to the east is there access from the landward side and even here there is protection given by the rocky slopes of the ridge.

There is little doubt that an attempt has been made to isolate and fortify the promontory. The southern end of the east side of the ridge is the only vulnerable section, and here for a distance of 100.0m, is a stone wall following the upper edge of the escarpment and running from cliff to cliff. The northern half of this section has the additional protection of steep natural slopes. The landward side of the wall is of crude, dry stone, construction up to 2.0m high and retains on the west a bank of granite rubble 4.0m. wide and up to 1.2m. high. The southern part of the retaining wall appears to be a modern reconstruction. The only sign of an entrance is to the south where there is a small gap in the rubble bank, although the retaining wall is unbroken. A scatter of loose stones on the slopes below the wall indicates that parts of the wall have fallen and that it may have once been considerably higher. The wall, although now not very strong, is ideally situated for defence and commands a fine view of the level ground on the landward side making any unobserved approach practically impossible.

There are no traces of any internal occupation, the only features of interest being a logan stone and several fine rock basins. It is concluded that this is a promontory fort although the nature of the defences may indicate a use a an occasional place of refuge rather than a permanent habitation site.

A 25” survey has been made.

There may have been considerable erosion of top soil but there are no signs of habitation and any permanent settlement must have been on a minor scale.

pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=423566

Pastscape description:

This is a small sloping promontory cut off from the mainland by about 20 metres of bank and ditch with a causewayed entrance near the Northern end. Defensively in a very poor position the “castle” is overlooked completely by the steeply sloping land to the East.

It is just possible that the bank and ditch protected a landing rather than enclosing a cliff castle as a flat expanse of rock near the waterline could perhaps have provided a suitable
natural quay.

Coflein description:

A barrow, 27m in diameter and 1.3-2.0m high, trenched by school children without result, c.1900.

Pastscape descriptions:

SW 4463 3568A slightly oval bowl barrow, 8.0m x 7.0m with no trace of a ditch. It s average height is 0.7 m, and a slight depression in the top suggests that an attempt has been made at excavation.

SW 4465 3568 An almost circular, ditchless bowl barrow 11.5m in diameter and 1.0m high. The cist is in the southern quadrant. It is 1.0m square and 1.0m deep. Two side slabs are in place, a third lying at an angle inside the cist and what is probably the fourth lying on top of the barrow beside the capstone.

Both barrows are grass covered and a 25” survey of them has been made.

Pastscape descriptions:

There are three mounds which can be reasonably identified as barrows on the northern part of Mulfra Hill. All are ditchless, and grass and furze covered.

A: SW 45003557 This barrow is rather poorly defined. It is 10.0m. in diameter and 0.6m. high.

B: SW. 45053553 A very mutilated barrow, 0.8m. high and 13.0m. in diameter. There are several small retaining stones on the western side. The barrow is mis-shapen and the mutilation is largely the result of animal burrowings.

C: SW. 45173547 This barrow is 11.0m. in diameter and 0.9m. high. An excavation in the top takes the form of a trench 0.8m. deep
exposing the construction of stones.

In the area of the barrows and particularly to the NW of barrow ‘A’ there are a large number of diggings which seem to be industrial pits. (Four are published as Hut Circles on the O.S.25” 1905). None of these pits could be identified as a 
barrow and none show a gravel content.

Recent (Spring 2012) extensive burning of gorse on the southern slopes of Mulfra Hill has revealed a probable prehistoric field system. A fallen standing stone was recorded on the slopes by William Copeland Borlase in 1872 and mentioned in Vivian Russell’s 1971 West Penwith Survey.

I didn’t know about the stone on our recent visit, so didn’t look for it. It is mentioned in issue 78 of the excellent Meyn Mamvro magazine (which is when I realised what I’d missed).

The stone lies somewhere to the west of the path running up the hill from Mulfra courtyard houses to Mulfra Quoit.

There is a definite barrow (marked on the OS 1/25000 as “tumulus”) on the highest point of Godrevy headland at SW 58124331. Finds were pretty impressive.

Pastscape description:

This prominent round barrow, 1.6m. high, is at SW 58124330. A narrow excavation trench cuts through it from N.E. to S.W.

Surveyed at 1/2500. (2)

A small Mesolithic flint-chipping floor was found beneath the barrow.

The finds which included a perforated mace-head, cores, microliths and scrapers, are in the collection of Prof. C. Thomas.

An A3 type penannular bronze brooch of the 1st to 3rd centuries AD was found during the trial excavations in 1950.

It occurred in the main traverse cutting near the SW circumference of the barrow mound, some 9 inches below the turf.

The hoop is oval with a maximum diameter of 2ins, having flattened terminals and two flattened mouldings below.

The brooch was placed on loan at Truro Museum but now appears to have been lost.

This barrow will be over the cliff in the next few years (if not sooner). The Coast Path has been re-routed and the barrow fenced off.

Pastscape has this description:

The remains of Bronze Age barrow on the cliff edge cut in half by cliff erosion. It stands to a height of 1 metre and has a diameter of 17 metres. It was opened in 1836 and an urn found.

The trig-mounted “Beacon”, the highest point of the hill, is considered to be a Bronze Age cairn, later used as a beacon and then a (now vanished) tower. Pastscape description:

A mound or cairn on St Agnes Beacon which has been interpreted as a Bronze Age bowl barrow later used as the site of a fire beacon and, in the late 18th century, providing the platform for a prospect tower. The barrow mound, which is about 3.8 metres in height and 30 metres in diameter, was a significant feature in the landscape and stood at the end of a line of three cairns which were visible in the period 1710-20. The shape, raised position and favourable location of the mound, with its all round visibility, led to it being chosen for the site of a fire beacon. The beacon may have been set up in response to the threat of the Spanish Armada in the 1580s, although the first known record of the beacon dates from the early 1700s. The reason for the location of the beacon on the mound were also the reasons which led it to being selected for the site of a prospect tower in the late 18th century. This is considered to have caused the barrow to have a flat squarish top. The tower stood on the mound until at least 1819 when it was in a partly ruinous state and its presence must have dictated the re-siting of the beacon during the Napoleonic Wars, most probably to one of the two other nearby cairn mounds, both of which were subsequently largely destroyed. By 1846 the tower has ceased to appear on maps. The outer matrix of the mound, which is known to comprise of stones ranging from 10cms-35cms in length, is believed to represent the debris of the collapsed tower which has encased the underlying Bronze Age deposits and which has resulted in the roughly square-shaped appearance of the mound. Scheduled.

The Ordnance Survey shows two cairns to the north of the Beacon cairn. Pastscape description:

There are two barrows or cairns in a north-south alignment, with another further to the south which is more prominent. When the site was visited in 1996 and 1998, both mounds were covered in gorse, grass and bramble which made interpretation difficult.

The central mound of the group has the appearance of a roughly hollowed out pile of stones surrounded by irregular dumps and scarps thought to result from disturbance to the mound or from nearby prospecting pits; the barrow was described in evaluation as ‘a severely damaged cairn’. Loose stone from the matrix of the cairn appear to be fire blackened, perhaps as a result of the use of the mound as a fire beacon.

The northernmost mound of the group appears as a very irregular stony spread about 30m by 19m in an area of rough ground characterised by a series of low roughly shaped mounds; it was described in evaluation as ‘an elongated amorphous mound’.

Canmore description:

The stones appear to be the last remains of a denuded cairn with a diameter of 60 to 70 feet. There are two large boulders 21 feet 6 inches apart on its south edge, probably the remains of a kerb. On the north and north-east are a few small earthfast stones which might represent more of the kerb setting.
Twenty feet to the south-west between these two slabs is another upright stone 5 feet 10 inches high. This stone might well be the last survivor of a circle of monoliths set round a cairn of Clava type.
The site is listed by Fraser (1884) but was already in its present state for the OS 6"map, 1st ed., (1871) marks three dots at the edge of a stippled area (agreeing with the features which can be seen at present.)

Scheduled as ‘Culchunaig, cairn and standing stone 300m SE of...‘
Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 30 March 2007.

Scattered prehistoric settlement of hut circles and burnt mounds. There is a possible ring cairn in the vicinity which sounds as though it may actually be a hut circle platform (the reference to the platform next to an earthfast boulder matches the ring cairn description). Various notes from Coflein:

Yr Aelgerth Hut Circle Settlement (SH5693058670)

Yr Aelgerth hut circle settlement is described in the Caernarvonshire Inventory, Vol. II, 170 (1141) as two small huts on a natural shelf at the foot of a steep slope facing E; below the shelf the ground falls to a wide marshy valley. (i) 32ft in diameter, wall 4ft thick and c1ft high, faced on both sides with large boulders. (ii) 16yds to SW similar, but 25ft in diameter with wall 3ft thick, and more ruinous. Condition poor.
Oxford Archaeology North surveyed the site, as part of the uplands initiative, in 2007, only one of the hut circles was evident. It consisted of a circular stone-built structure measuring 4.5m in diameter with double-width stone foundations up to 0.3m high. The hut circle was levelled inside and was situated sheltered against a large earthfast boulder. The site is marked on the current OS mapping.

Source: Caernarvonshire Inventory, Vol. II, 170 (1141)
RCAHMW, June 2009

Yr Aelgerth Hut Circle I (SH5704658689)

Possible hut circle foundations. It measures 7m in diameter and is constructed of large boulders and has a large holly tree growing through it. P.J. Schofield, OANorth, 8th June 2007

Yr Aelgerth Hut Circle II (SH5707858899)

A sub-oval domestic structure, possibly a hut circle. The site is platformed into the slope and levelled in the centre. It consists of double thickness rough stone walls, mostly collapsed with an internal kerb of large boulders,. It measures 7m long by 5.5m wide and the foundations stand to a maximum of 0.3-0.4m high. P.J. Schofield, OANorth, 12th June 2007

Ty’r-mawn Hut Circle (SH5713059120)

Double thickness foundation of boulder walls, measuring 10m in diameter and terraced into the hillside. The northern half has been reduced to ground level, but the foundations are still visible. The southern part has been rebuilt as a sheep fold up to 1.2m high. The site is marked on the current OS mapping.

Source: Caernarvonshire Inventory Vol. II, 170 (1142).
Oxford Archaeology North, 2007

Hafod-uchaf Burnt Mound I (SH5738058930)

It is described in the Caernarvonshire Inventory, Vol. II, 171, (1147). Mound of burnt stone near Hafod-uchaf, at 800ft above OD. The horseshoe-shaped mound faces NW towards a small stream, now dry. It measures 30ft by 35ft with traces of a stone revetment on the NE and SE. Condition: good. OAN Site visit 2007. A burnt mound marked on the current OS mapping. It consists of an obvious kidney-shaped mound sat adjacent to a watercourse. It measures 13m long by 8m wide and is up to 1m high. The site is marked on the current OS mapping.

Hafod-uchaf Burnt Mound II (SH5736658888)

A possible burnt mound located on the sloping ground above the edge of improved pasture fields near Hafod-uchaf. It is sub-circular in shape and measures approximately 7m long by 6m wide and up to 0.5m high. It is located immediately adjacent to a stream and is some 45m south of an already identified burnt mound (NPRN 505509). P.J. Schofield, OANorth, 8th June 2007

There is also a hut circle at the base of the fort, below the hilltop on its western side, where the approach to the fort itself is at its least naturally steep. Coflien say:

The first hut circle is an ovoid in shape, measuring 11m in diameter, the walls are constructed of medium-sized stones, and the walls remain as a bank measuring up to 1.5m wide by 0.6m high. The southern half of the bank is now turf covered, whilst the northern half survives as an exposed stone bank. The construction of the wall is evident on the east side as double thickness kerbing walls with stone infill. The site was probably later reused as a stock shelter.

Coflein description:

Cairn measures 11m in diameter and stands 1.3m high at its centre. Although a central hollow indicates that it has suffered some past disruption, it is substantially intact.
Source: Cadw scheduling description of 02. 2000 F.Foster/RCAHMW 03. 2006

Recent Coflein description:

Aligned north south and to the east of a prominent north south ridge. Three standing stones. Each stone is 0.40m tall and 12m – 13m apart. Peat has built up around the stones. Peat Erosion in the area suggests the peat is approximately 1m deep. The ground cover was grass at the time of survey. Willcocks, S. & Lewis, D.L., ArchaeoPhysica Ltd, 03/12/2009

And picture:

coflein.gov.uk/en/site/508330/images/STONE+ROW%2C+MYNYDD+CLYWEDOG/

Coflein has this to say:

Stone circle defined by 4 upright rectangular slabs and a further 6 recumbent slabs with two recumbent at the center. The circle is 14 m in diameter with the average stone size being 0.5 m tall, 0.34 m wide and 0.12 m thick. The circle is situated in a very wet area close to Llyn Cwmffynon. The surviving uprights are tilting and loose. K. Laws, Engineering Archaeology Services, 30th January 2005.

coflein.gov.uk/en/site/284656/images/DYFFRYN+MYMBYR%2C+STONE+CIRCLE/

Single hut circle at SH62206040, together with a further group at SH61805980, listed on the Gwynedd Archaelogical Trust website.

In the cwm between Elidir Fawr and Y Garn (Glyderau).

Coflein description:

Cader Ellyll hut circle settlement is of national importance because of the well preserved nature of the huts. The site demonstrates archaeological elements of two periods: a small unenclosed settlement of the Iron Age or Romano British period consisting of three hut circles and an oval enclosure or cairn; a rectangular hut likely to date to the medieval period. This close association of huts of differing periods gives the site particular archaeological importance as an example of long term land use. For further information on the individual features of the site see NPRN’s 506066, 506068-506070 and 506072-506073.

Possible stone row alongside track on Clogwyn-yr-Eryr. May be line of fence posts!

Coflein has this:

Row of 4 standing stones, 1 recumbent. Two uprights and recumbent at side of main track, other c. 65m SW. OS 1st ed map of 1891shows a boundary line along this alignment, indicative of stones at fence supports.(JONES.RS/CAP/2003).

Group of three hut circles and associated enclosures, on the opposite side of the valley to and downstream from nearby Pant-y-Griafolen, which is intervisible with this group.

Coflein description, after visit by C-PAT:

The probable site of a stone-built cairn on the prominent shoulder (Trawsnant) of Cadair Bronwen. The cairn is fairly amorphous owing to past robbing which has resulted from the creation of a C-shaped stone shelter at this location, possibly on the southern part of the cairn. No visible internal cairn structure was evident. A low rock ridge runs west from the site and probably formed the basis for the creation of the cairn. Overall dimensions of cairn are 10.5m diameter by 0.5m high; shelter measures 6m E/W by 3.5m N/S by 1.1m high.

R. Hankinson, Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, 26th October 2004

A cairn circle (maybe of Clava type) re-erected as a stone circle in parkland near Aldourie Castle. Canmore descriptions:

This site is marked on the 1870 edition of the 6-inch O.S. map as “Stone Circle (Removed from east to west side of fence)“. There are eighteen stones, either boulders or split slabs, set in a circle evenly spaced except on the south-west side where the largest stone, a pointed slab 4ft 10ins high, is flanked by two small contiguous stones. In the centre lies a large flat stone. This arrangement is obviously artificial, and the stones may well come from a dismembered Clava-type tomb. It is possible that the tallest stone is in situ and it could well be one of the monoliths at such a site.
A S Henshall 1963, visited 21 April 1958

The stone circle is as described above; it measures 14.5m NE-SW x 10.0m NW-SE. See GP: AO/62/114/1. There is no evidence of a stone circle at the site at NH 60003587 shown on the O.S. map. Published 25” survey.
Visited by OS (EGC) 20 March 1962

‘In Durris (ie. Dores) at the North end of Loch-Ness is a Druid temple of three concentric circles: in all of these druidical circles there was an altar stone at the centre, but that at Dirris is taken away, and near the centre is a hollowed stone, which either was a laver to wash in, or a bason(sic) to receive the blood of the sacrifice.‘
T Pennent 1769

The above description, prior to the moving of the stones, seems to confirm Henshall’s suggestion that this was originally a Clava-type structure, and most probably a ring-cairn.
Information from R B Gourlay (Highland Regional Archaeologist to OS) 18 March 1987

Various cairns on Drumashie Moor. Canmore descriptions:

Cairns at NH 6329 3681

Situated on a shelf in a NW facing hillside are the remains of two cairns of earth and small stones which have been ploughed over and afforested. The W cairn measures c. 11.0m in diameter and 1.3m in height with a central depression; that to the E is c. 7.0m in diameter and 0.8m high.
Visited by OS (N K B) 23 January 1970.

Possible cairn at NH 6345 3677

AT NH 6345 3677 on the crest of a ridge, is a stony mound which has recently been ploughed through and afforested. It survives to a height of c. 0.5m and is spread to c. 11.0 m in diameter, and probably represents the remains of a cairn.
Surveyed at 1:10, 000.
Visited by OS (A A) 21 April 1970.

Cairn at NH 6383 3664

At NH 6383 3664, on a low ridge, is a robbed cairn, surviving as a stony platform c. 19.0m in diameter and c. 0.5m high with the central area relatively free of stones.
Surveyed at 1/10,000.
Visited by OS (N K B) 2 Feburary 1970.

Kerb cairn at NH 6293 3600

At NH 6293 3600 on a false crest overlooking a settlement (NH63NW 25) and cairn (NH63NW 18) are the remains of a cairn, entirely overgrown with whins, which was discovered by Mr. O’Malley, GC Division, Ordnance Survey (W O’Mally, OS field surveyor, Inverness). Little cairn material can be seen, but in the NW arc is a semi-circle of seven kerb-stones set on edge, 0.7m maximum height, indicating a diameter of 5.2m. Two or three stones lying prone outside the cairn are probably displaced kerb-stones.
Surveyed at 1/10,000.
Visited by OS (N K B) 11 September 1970.

Cairn at NH 6306 3593

The cairn published on OS 6”, survives as a mutilated mound of stones on the spine of a low ridge measuring c. 8.5m in diameter and 0.3m high. No kerbstones or cist are evident. The second “cairn” 20.0m to the SW, noted by Woodham is scattered tumble from a ruined wall.
Divorced survey at 1/10,000
Visited by OS (N K B) 17 April 1970.

Hut circles strung out alongside General Wade’s Road across Drumashie Moor, to the NW of Loch Ashie. Canmore details:

Hut circle at NH 6365 3684

At NH 6365 3684 on a ridge in cleared woodland there is a stone-walled circular hut and an associated field system.
The hut measures c. 11.5m in diameter between the centres of a mutilated wall of indeterminate thickness. In the S is an arc of stones set on edge, uncertainly the inner or outer face. Another stone across the wall in the ENE may indicate the entrance passage, but there is no corresponding break in the wall.
A field measuring about 75.0m by 40.0m on the E side of the hut is bounded by a field wall which springs from the hut c. 1.5m N of the possible entrance and rejoins it in the S arc. The field system is comprised mainly of field walls with occasional stone clearance heaps. (Visible on OS air photograph 67.198.006)
Visited by OS (N K B) 2 Feburary 1970.

Three hut circles centred at NH 631 360

Centred at NH 631 360 on an undulating SE-facing hillside, is a settlement of three stone-walled huts (A – C) and an associated field system. (All measurements of huts are given between wall centres.)
Hut ‘A’ measures c. 11.0m in diameter with a wall spread to c. 2.0m all round. Only one outer facing stone is visible, in the S arc. The simple entrance in the E arc is mutilated.
‘B’ measures c. 13.0m NW-SE by c. 11.5m with a wall spread to c. 3.0m all round. No entrance can be seen.
‘C’ is c. 12.0m in diameter with a wall spread to c. 2.5m all round. Several outer facing stones are evident in the NE. Flanking the N side of the simple, mutilated entrance in the SE arc is a prostrate slab, possibly a portal stone, measuring 1.2m by 0.8m.
The field system is comprised mainly of ruined field walls, and occasional stone clearance heaps and lynchets, but details of cultivation plots have been obscured by previous afforestation.
Surveyed at 1:10,000. (Visible on OS air photograph 67.198.037.)
Visited by OS (N K B) 17 April 1970.

Finds of flint arrowheads and polished stone axehead have been found in the vicinity.

Canmore description:

This fort occupies a rocky ridge; a sheer cliff forms the E side and the only easy access is from the SW. The highest part of the ridge has probably been surrounded by a stone wall, of which only the W half survives, enclosing a roughly-circular area measuring about 30m in diameter. The wall is 3.8m thick and stands to a height of up to 2m; the entrance is on the SW. A second wall extends from the cliff-edge on the SE to take in a terrace below the inner wall and swings in a gentle arc to end on the top of the cliff on the NE. The remains of a third line of defence can be seen on the NW, where a ditch with an outer upcast bank flanks the base of the ridge; on the N it appears as a stony band rising up the side of the ridge to join the outer wall. On the date of visit deep heather obscured what may be the SW extension of this work, located by the OS, cutting across the back of the ridge.
(USN93 156)
Visited by RCHAMS (PJD) 22 October 1992.

Canmore description:

Non-invasive survey was carried out (above and below water) of two crannogs lying in Loch Achaidh na h-Inich. The survey demonstrated that both crannogs were primarily stone-built with one (E) having visible in situ timbers present. Loose timbers were also present in some numbers, scattered about the loch floor. Many timbers showed evidence for working, with both shaped planks and cut notches present. Recommendations were made regarding future draw-down of water for domestic use and preservation of the crannog structure. No dating evidence was recovered.
Report lodged with NTS SMR.
Sponsor: Scott Wilson Scotland Ltd.
M Wildgoose 2003.

Canmore descriptions:

At NG 8188 3147, above a low crag known as Carn na Sean-chreige, overlooking Loch Achaidh na h-Inich, there are the much reduced remains of a galleried fort.
It is sub-rectangular on plan measuring c. 30.0m NW-SE by 28.0m transversely within a wall robbed to its lowest courses. The wall is generally 3.9m in thickness, and faced externally with large blocks. Within the wall are traces of a ‘stabilising’ wall, surviving at one point in the NE to three courses and 0.9m in height. Near the NW corner is part of a gallery, c. 1.0m in height and 0.9m in width, with one stone roof lintel still in situ. Traces of another gallery are visible in the NE side. The SW side has almost completely slipped over the crag, and is marked by a scatter of loose stones only. The entrance is placed centrally in the NE side; it is 1.4m in width and one door check survives. The interior is featureless and has been recently afforested. (cf. Dun Liath, Skye: NG 37 SE2).
Surveyed at 1/10,00.
Visited by OS (A A) 6 April 1970.

Both door checks of the entrance are now visible 1.3m along the passage from the outer wall face. The passage is 1.3m wide, expanding to 1.6m beyond the door checks.
Revised at 1/10,000.
Visited by OS (A A) 21 May 1974.