CoralJackz
Old photograph of a man sat near the cromlech
Image credit: Francis Frith Collection
Visited recently… We were attempting to recreate the older photograph we found…
Image credit: CoralJackz
The remains of a larger monument?
In this video we explore Ystum Cegid Isaf and cover the history and archaeology of the site. We hope you enjoy!
Photograph dated around 1930-1950. Shows damage to the east side due to army practice.
Image credit: Coflein - CADW
The finest ring cairn in Wales..
In this video we explore Bryn Cader Faner and cover the history and archaeology of this iconic site.
In this video we delve into the great Stonehenge Bluestone debate… questioning what we know about how a varied collection of ‘bluestones’ made their way from the Preseli Hills to the Salisbury Plain.
We start with a brief history of the last 400 years at Stonehenge.. Exploring research by antiquarians, archaeologists and geologists… demonstrating how professional and public opinion has changed over time and sharing our own journey through the last three decades of media coverage. Over the last decade, the topic has been dominated by claims made by Professor Mike Parker Pearson, involving ‘Bluestone quarries’ at Craig Rhos Y Felin and Carn Goedog, and a huge stone circle at Waun Mawn… Claims that were reported as fact by a wide range of media outlets, predominantly during the 2021 BBC documentary “Stonehenge – The Lost Circle Revealed”.
Because of the massive impact this BBC documentary had on public opinion… we felt we couldn’t properly address this topic without properly addressing the way in which evidence was interpreted throughout the documentary… Showing examples from the show, we explore the other legitimate interpretations available and tentatively offer our own conclusions.
Please feel free to comment your thoughts on the topic. Also a massive thanks to everyone who has been getting involved here and on Youtube.. Your feedback is invaluable and we’ve learned so much from you all. Lets keep on bothering those stones!
Diolch yn fawr. Thanks!
Mysterious markings on neolithic megalith – Garn Gilfach
In this video we explore this beautiful site as well as cover all the known history and archaeology.
This Neolithic cromlech on Strumble Head is quite unique with its interesting markings on the capstone. Of course, they are likely to be natural.. However, the reasoning as to why this stone was chosen for the monument has interested explorers and antiquarians for centuries.
Richard Fenton’s account from ‘A Historical Tour Through Pembrokeshire’ written in 1810, is as follows:
“The side to the west of Carn Culhwch seemed to have been appropriated to druidical ceremonies from the many Cromlechs, some overturned, and some in their original position.
There is one more remarkable than the rest; a large unshapen mass of serpentine, fifteen feet by eight, and two and a half average thickness; under the edges of it are placed nine or ten small pointed upright stones, imbedded in a strong pavement, extending for some way round. These small supporters are fixed without any regard to their height, as only two or three bear the whole weight of the incumbent stone, one of which is so pressed by it, as to have become almost incorporated with it.
On the upper surface of the Cromlech are three considerable excavations near the centre, probably intended to have received the blood of the victim, or waters for purification, if (as it is the most general opinion) they were used as altars... this stone has a small inclination to the north-east. Its height from the ground is very inconsiderable, being scarce one foot high on the lowest side; and on the other only high enough to admit of a person creeping under it, though once entered, the space enlarges from the upper stone having a considerable concavity.
The earth below is rich and black. ..(I have since learned that the blackness I refer to, appears to have been chiefly the effect of fire, as many bits of charcoal and rude pottery have been picked up there.”
While modern science suggests they are likely the result of natural processes, the question remains: why did our ancestors choose this particular stone? What significance did they see in these markings that we might never fully understand?
We have covered this site in full over on our Youtube channel if you’d like to learn more – CoralJackz
This Neolithic cromlech on Strumble Head is quite unique with its interesting markings on the capstone. Of course, they are likely to be natural.. However, the reasoning as to why this stone was chosen for the monument has interested explorers and antiquarians for centuries.
Richard Fenton’s account from ‘A Historical Tour Through Pembrokeshire’ written in 1810, is as follows:
“The side to the west of Carn Culhwch seemed to have been appropriated to druidical ceremonies from the many Cromlechs, some overturned, and some in their original position.
There is one more remarkable than the rest; a large unshapen mass of serpentine, fifteen feet by eight, and two and a half average thickness; under the edges of it are placed nine or ten small pointed upright stones, imbedded in a strong pavement, extending for some way round. These small supporters are fixed without any regard to their height, as only two or three bear the whole weight of the incumbent stone, one of which is so pressed by it, as to have become almost incorporated with it.
On the upper surface of the Cromlech are three considerable excavations near the centre, probably intended to have received the blood of the victim, or waters for purification, if (as it is the most general opinion) they were used as altars... this stone has a small inclination to the north-east. Its height from the ground is very inconsiderable, being scarce one foot high on the lowest side; and on the other only high enough to admit of a person creeping under it, though once entered, the space enlarges from the upper stone having a considerable concavity.
The earth below is rich and black. ..(I have since learned that the blackness I refer to, appears to have been chiefly the effect of fire, as many bits of charcoal and rude pottery have been picked up there.”
While modern science suggests they are likely the result of natural processes, the question remains: why did our ancestors choose this particular stone? What significance did they see in these markings that we might never fully understand?
We have covered this site in full over on our Youtube channel if you’d like to learn more – CoralJackz
Two antique line engravings by J. Basire. Published in 1851.
Ystum Cegid Isaf – Neolithic Cromlech in Wales
Image credit: Two antique line engravings by J. Basire. Published in 1851. Ystum Cegid Isaf - Neolithic Cromlech in Wales
Fishguard's Ancient Landscape
Video covering the history and legends of the Garn Wen Chambers, as well as other nearby dolmens.
This prehistoric monument sits below the village of Llanglydwen in Carmarthenshire. Situated on an ancient path in a secluded forest, its huge capstone points towards the nearby river Taf, which you can hear flowing below the trees.
An old Welsh tale set during the days of King Arthur tells of Ceridwen and Taleisin. Welsh poetry refers to the goddess of transformation, rebirth and inspiration – Ceridwen – as possessing the cauldron of “poetic inspiration”, called Awen.
This legendary story tells that Ceridwen set to brew in her magical cauldron, a mixture that would grant the gift of wisdom and poetic inspiration, Awen, for her son Morfran. The mixture was to be boiled for a year and a day. One day when the brew was almost finished, her young servant Gwion Bach was stirring the concoction and three drops of the liquid splashed onto his thumb. He instinctively put his thumb to his mouth and gained the wisdom and knowledge that Ceridwen had intended for her son. In his fear of Ceridwens anger, Gwion fled.. with Ceridwen chasing after him.
We have a video covering the folklore and history of this site and the name on our Youtube..
Llech Y Drybedd on the cover of A Historical Tour Through Pembrokeshire by Richard Fenton, 1811
Image credit: Richard Fenton
We make videos covering history and folklore of ancient sites in Wales. Here is one we made on The Hanging Stone. Hope you enjoy :)
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