GLADMAN
Given the lack of awareness, I did ponder whether this might be a glacial erratic and not a capstone... but the supports are so precise.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking to The Arans....
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) can be seen in the distance.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The large ‘upper cairn’....
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The Gwynedd Archaeological Trust lists three ‘prehistoric’ cairns (at SH8468127549, SH8468927570 and SH8469927573) located upon the slopes of Moel Caws to the northeast of the cairn above the Afon Dyfrdwy. Given the elevated grouping of these monuments, it would appear they were meant to be distinct from the southern monument.
Incidentally, the images I have been able to discover online do not appear to reflect what I have posted... particularly, what I assumed to be a cairn with a classic rounded capstone, supported upon small orthostats. If I am in error, naturally I’m happy to be corrected. However, if so, I would like to know what else these features could be!!
Looking across the settlement site to the cairn at SH84552735. Oh, and the most wondrous Arans.
What I understood to be the upper enclosing wall....
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The site possesses a very photogenic tree...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Southern flank, looking approx west
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Southeastern(ish) corner, looking approx east.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Northern flank – Foel Fynyddau is background, left.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Southern flank, looking approx east...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Southern flank, looking approx west
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Northwestern corner. Excellent little hillfort, this....
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
A subject very close to The Citizen Cairn’s heart.... and therefore heartening to know there are people out there who feel the same, beyond the confines of TMA. Let’s make it clear: it is NOT ACCEPTABLE to vandalise our prehistoric heritage. Damage these cairns and you are a criminal, regardless of intent.
So why does it happen – why does it appear that so few give a damn, show any respect to the final resting places of our prehistoric ancestors? Sure, no one is being murdered, or physically assaulted. However, at a time when significant resources of the apparently ‘underfunded and overstretched’ police are devoted to appeasing the hurt feelings of those who somehow believe the universe is run by an invisible skygod – or those who choose to ignore the basic prerequisite of a civilised person to take responsibility for one’s own actions – why is it that so few people are seemingly bothered about the irrevocable loss of MY heritage? Why is it OK to attack my heritage with minimal chance of arrest?
I will not accept that. For what it’s worth, I will be watching and reporting for as long as I’m still physically able... and I urge others who care to do the same. People were here, in these Isles, long before the alien desert monotheisms.
Dress appropriately for summit conditions and ostracise those, imbued with a bovine herd mentality, who condone – by proxy – such criminal acts by cowering inside vandalised monuments. The time has come to be vocal about it. Show respect to those who came before, or keep the hell away from the mountains and hills! Ignorance is no longer a defence... the ignorant must be informed and held to account for their actions.
Moel Caws, Gwynedd – Cairn(s) and Prehistoric Settlement
Bit “cheesy”, perhaps? But then I like cheese...
Mwdwl-Eithin – the one near Cerrig-y-Drudion.
Is this ‘tumulus’ the real deal? Of gorse it is...
Not to be confused with another “Gorse Stack/Beacon” (according to AI, ahem) at the summit of Mynydd Hiraethog (the Denbigh Moors), some way to the northwest, this 1,542ft hill – not that far from Cerrig-y-Drudion (yeah, that one) – is the site of what the Ordnance Survey people have seen fit to label a ‘tumulus’.
So, just the sort of thing to entice The Citizen Cairn to lace up the boots, go and have a shufti and enjoy the vibe. Particularly since a quick perusal of the internet (homework? what new sorcery is this?) uncovers minimal information. Looking at my map, the outing does not seem particularly taxing. However, ‘gorse’. Hmmm.
Approaching from the northwest, I fail to find a suitable parking spot... although, having visited the excellent Caer Caradog some years back, there must be one somewhere ... so I improvise a ‘Plan B’, accessing the obvious bridleway from the minor road near Bryn Deiol, to the northeast (near a distinctive, linear copse of trees). This gets one to a point whereby a final, trackless ascent to the summit can be attempted.. no easy skate, to be fair, the seemingly bemused bovines no doubt wondering what this human muppet is up to?
However, it is worth the effort, the hilltop proving a magnificent viewpoint, particularly towards Northern Snowdonia... and, what’s more, is crowned by (to these eyes) the clear remains of a Bronze Age cairn. As I sit, I observe a farmer gathering sheep below as the sun does its cosmic thing. Yeah, I’m in no hurry to leave...
Coflein reckons:
“Noted as pile of stones, or platform, believed to have been the base of a tumulus. (J.Wiles 24.01.02)”
Great viewpoint, great vibe, clear archaeology... what more could one want?
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Again, once one attunes the megalithic radar, the monument is pretty obvious.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Pity about the surmounting OS trig pillar... but at least this is too obscure to have fallen prey to a vandal shelter. Looking toward Llangollen, I believe.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The kind of place to sit at all day... so I did.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Self-evidently, the surviving footprint of a prehistoric cairn.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Sweeping views towards the peaks of Northern Snowdonia.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Located at 1,542ft, this is not among the highest of Wales’ upland cairns.... but it’s certainly one of the more obscure.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Sunburst.... in between the seemingly inevitable rain burst.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The site (approx lower left of image) viewed from the north... The Arans rising beyond to as near-as-dammit 3,000ft.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
A prehistoric settlement is located top right, overlooking the Afon Dyfrdwy..
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Quite a decent cairn in an excellent location...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
More summit views... plus a first-class descent via superb cascades...
Obscure as you like.... the final ascent from the east is not for those with a casual interest.
I reckon I tentatively located the second barrow/cairn said to be located at SH654210266... but this, the summit monument, is the outstanding viewpoint. The third – at SH6486602603 – eluded me.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
