CM203

Mynydd Llangyndeyrn Round Cairns  

 

Designated  

Carmarthenshire  

Llangyndeyrn  

248582  

213345  

Religious, Ritual and Funerary  

Standing Stone  

Prehistoric  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of several prehistoric round cairns, burial mounds and a standing stone probably dating to the Bronze Age (c.2300 BC - 800 BC) arranged along the ridge of Mynydd Llangynderyn. From east to west they consist of: a) A standing stone at SN 48012 13033 measuring 3m in height by 1.5m in width at the base by 0.7m in depth which has a triangular cross-section. The stone was excavated in 1983 and shown to be associated with a small timber structure, a two phase ring ditch and a pit of charcoal which provided a radiocarbon date of 1150 +/- 100 BC b) A round cairn situated below a rocky outcrop at SN 4811 1306 and measuring c 7.5m in diameter and 0.5m high. c) A round cairn or kerb circle situated near the summit of the ridge at SN 4820 1325 which measures 10m in diameter and has a kerb of stones c 0.3m high ; there are the possible remains of a central cist represented by two stones c 1m long set on edge. d) A round cairn, possibly a platform cairn, marking the ridge summit at SN 4824 1327 measuring 9.2m north to south by 12.8m east to west and standing 0.5m high. e) A ring cairn at SN 4831 1326 represented by a circular bank of contiguous stones c 2.6m wide enclosing an interior c 4m across. f) A round cairn at SN 4838 1339 measuring c 12m in diameter and 0.5m high. There at least three large orthostats set within the cairn measuring c 1m height suggesting a more complex monument that may have held a chamber or cist. g) A ring cairn at SN 4898 1344 measuring c 14m by 12.5m enclosing an area of c 9.4m diameter with two possible entrances, the one on the south west defined by large upright stones. h) A simple cist set into the lee of a rock exposure at SN 4896 1354 and visible as a chamber with three side slabs 1 x 1m in size. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. The features are important relics of a prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape and retain significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of both intact burial or ritual deposits and environmental and structural evidence. Cairnfields may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.