GM637

Prehistoric Rock Art at Tai’r Waun Isaf  

19/05/2023  

Designated  

Caerphilly  

Nelson  

310226  

193473  

Religious, Ritual and Funerary  

Cup Marked Stone  

Neolithic  

The monument comprises a large cup-marked rock art panel, probably dating to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age (2900-1600 BC). The panel is located on a flat spur projecting from the upper reaches of a south-west facing slope and overlooking the confluence of the Nant Ddu and Nant Cae-dudwg. The stone comprises a fine grained laminated sandstone. It is located in a field boundary immediately south of an historic field entrance. It measures 3.6m NNW-SSE, by 2.85m transversely and 0.9m in height. The panel is on the upper surface and comprises at least ninety three cup-marks the largest of which measure c. 80mm in diameter and 60mm in depth; some of the cup-marks appear to have been arranged into crescent motifs. The densest concentration of cup-marks is on the northern and eastern sides. A clear spread of cairn material extends 4m to the west and 8m to the south as a subtle raised area. A possible interpretation is that the cup-marked stone is a capstone to a former Neolithic chambered tomb, and that this is a former burial monument. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric society. Prehistoric rock art sites are a rare occurrence in Wales. This example is impressive for the large number of cup-marks, and their clear definition. The exact meaning and function of the cup-mark design is unknown and remains enigmatic. A wide range of interpretations have been suggested. They may have acted as route markers or demarcated territorial boundaries. Alternatively, their association with nearby Bronze Age ritual or funerary monuments (Carneddi Llwydion (GM302) and Cairnfield on Mynydd Eglwysilan (GM352)), may indicate a sacred meaning for those that created and observed them as part of a ritual landscape. The monument forms part of a wider south-east Wales grouping and possesses important group value with two scheduled examples on Mynydd Eglwysilan Common (GM628). The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is square in shape on plan, measures 8m NNW-SSE and is centred on OS NGR ST 10224 93476.