Reverse of the previous image, looking into the fort. The rock-cut nature of the entrance is obvious on the left of shot.
Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2017)
thesweetcheat
The northeastern entrance, cut through the rock of the hillside, looking outwards.
Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2017)
The northeastern rampart. Much of this is probably the natural top of the steeply sloping hillside rather than a manmade bank.
Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2017)
The earthwork at the northern end of the fort.
Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2017)
Looking east from the highest point of the interior. May Hill is the inevitable skyline feature with its unmistakeable circular copse on the summit.
Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2017)
Section of the southern rampart. The earthwork is most covered in small trees and vegetation so walking a circuit is rather hampered.
Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2017)
The sloping interior seen from the southeast.
Image credit: A. Brookes (3.6.2017)
More of the visible stone on the cairn.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
There are some sizeable slabs and stones on the top of the cairn.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Looking northeast across the Cynon valley towards Twyn Bryn Bychan.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Looking down on Mountain Ash.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Looking east across the Cynon valley towards Twyn Bryn Bychan (skyline left of centre).
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
“Long cairn” B from its northern end.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Slab embedded in the top of “long cairn” B.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Side-on view of the mound of “long cairn” B.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Another view of the cairn at approx. ST 02928 98375.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Cairn at approx. ST 02928 98375 (Cairn (vii)?).
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Substantial cairn at approx. ST 02910 98352 – probably Cairn (vi).
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
A couple of cairns in the clearing at approx. ST 029984.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Cairn at approx. ST 02889836, which would make it Cairn (iv) although I could see no sign of a cist.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Upright slab half-buried in the trees between the isolated western cairn and the main group.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
This may be the possible standing stone dismissed as natural (see misc. post). It is towards the northwest of the groups.
Image credit: A. Brookes (29.5.2017)
Information from the GGAT HER:
Cairnfield originally identified as consisting of nine cairns, with another three identified after additional survey of the area in 1979. Three cairns of the original group were excavated following damage by forestry ploughing. The remaining six original cairns were reinstated without excavation; the three additional cairns identified in 1979 could not be positively identified on the ground due to plough damage.
Cairn B (ii) (relatively undamaged) was carefully constructed over three pits which contained burned material, including unidentifiable bone, in their fills. It was surrounded by a well-defined kerb 9.5x3.2m, orientated almost exactly N-S and surviving in places to a height of 0.6m (five courses), which may have been set against the partially completed core. This was almost certainly funerary in origin. Other pits were noted to the W of the cairn, but their relationship with it was unclear. Both of the two more badly damaged cairns, H (viii) and J (xi), may also originally also have had kerbs, and may also originally have been rectangular in shape, though there was no evidence that either had been funerary. Both turned out on excavation to be 2.2m across, showing that surface dimensions may be misleading.
Now in an area of impenetrable forest; it was not possible to find a way through to the NGR given.(i) 9m in diameter, 0.9m high. Disturbed. Partly overgrown.
(ii) Long mound. S end square, with two courses of a built kerb visible, 10m N-S by 4m; 0.5m high, with a rounded profile. Turf-covered and undisturbed.
(iii) 3m in diameter, 0.3m high
(iv) 3.2m in diameter, 0.5m high. Two upright slabs at the centre may be the remains of a cist, of 1.1m maximum length. A small slab and other stones are the probable remains of a kerb. Disturbed.
(v) 3.7m in diameter, 0.6m high. One possible kerb-stone. Disturbed.
(vi) 5.2m in diameter, 0.3m high.
(vii) 4m in diameter, 0.5m high.
(viii) 2.5m in diameter, 0.3m high.
(ix) 1.8m in diameter, 0.3m high. (Source 01)NG references amended to: (i) ST02829838; (ii) ST02849840; (iii) ST02849838; (iv) ST02889835; (v) ST02909836; (vi) 02919834; (vii) ST02939837; (viii) ST029119838; (ix) ST02909837; (ix) ST02939839 diameter 4.5m, hight 0.4m; (xi) ST02859833 diameter 4.0m, height 0.4m; (xii) ST02889833 diameter 4.0m, height 0.6m.
A possible standing stone noted by OS fieldworkers at ST02879840 was considered to be a natural feature.
The spring/well is to the left of the bridge.
Image credit: A. Brookes (20.5.2017)
The spring emerges from a cleft in the rock face.
Image credit: A. Brookes (20.5.2017)
Landscape context from the east. The hut circle and field wall is located below the rocky outcrop of Graig Wen.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
Looking back at the site, sitting under the rocky eminence of Graig Wen.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
Looking out across Porth Wen from the very overgrown site.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
The site seen from the east, across Porth Cynfor/Hell’s Mouth.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
The eastern entrance, running between two rocky outcrops.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
General view of the interior from the eastern end. By the ruined tower is the most northerly point of the Wales Coast Path.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
The vertiginous drop down to the ruined brickworks of Porth Llanlleiana.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
Looking down on the bank of the inner enclosure.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
Looking southeast down into the boggy valley below the fort. The peaks of the Carneddau, Glyderau and Yr Wyddfa can be seen on the distant skyline.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
Section of tumbled stone block wall along the crest of the site.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
Looking towards the fort from Moel Llanlleiana to the west.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
Looking west with Mynydd y Garn on the skyline.
Image credit: A. Brookes (19.5.2017)
Pen Dinas from Aberystwyth harbour, May Day. Just before the soaking.
Image credit: A. Brookes (1.5.2017)