The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Chambered Long Cairn, Maesyfelin (or Gwal y Filiast)

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00003s
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Wenvoe
Unitary authority : Vale of Glamorgan
NGR : ST10097230
Site Type (preferred type first) : Neolithic Chambered tomb
Status : Site Cared for by the State , UA Local List (Adopted)

Summary :
The site comprise a rectangular chamber set in the E end of a long mound, possibly part of the Cotswold-Severn class of monuments. Both human remains and coarse pottery were found in 1875.

Description :
In 1976 RCAHMW described the monument in the following terms. The site is in the same state to the present day:

The remains comprise a rectangular chamber set in the E end of a long mound, which is spread to about 27 m E-W by 11m, with a maximum height of about 1m. The sides of the flat top seem parallel, about 7m apart, and the W end tends to have a square shape, suggesting that the whole monument may have resembled Tinkinswood in plan, but there is no trace of revetment.

The burial chamber is also similar in position and general form, though more trapezoid in plan, and with greater minimum internal height of 1.8m at the W. Both sides are formed by single massive slabs, which are earthfast only at their E ends; the end slab is triangular, leaning inwards and tapering almost to a point. All three slabs support the single great capstone, which is pitched slightly upwards to the E; all are of the same mudstone used at Tinkinswood, but were probably available locally.
Dimensions: Dimensions not known.

(1968/1976) Also known as Gwal y Filiast, stands at about 70 m above OD, on ground falling gently to the NW near the head of the Waycock valley. It is a conspicuous monument, which has been variously described and assessed since 1874, but never excavated. It is now in State Guardianship.

The remains comprise a rectangular chamber set in the E end of a long mound, which is spread to about 27 m E-W by 11m, with a maximum height of about 1m. The sides of the flat top seem parallel, about 7m apart, and the W end tends to have a square shape, suggesting that the whole monument may have resembled Tinkinswood in plan, but there is no trace of revetment.

The burial chamber is also similar in position and general form, though more trapezoid in plan, and with greater minimum internal height of 1.8m at the W. Both sides are formed by single massive slabs, which are earthfast only at their E ends; the end slab is triangular, leaning inwards and tapering almost to a point. All three slabs support the single great capstone, which is pitched slightly upwards to the E; all are of the same mudstone used at Tinkinswood, but were probably available locally.

Human remains and coarse pottery were found in 1875 in the debris thrown out from the interior, which partly fills the hollow of the original forecourt in the E end of the mound. (Source 02). GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Project 2003. Included on Vale of Glamorgan Council's List of County Treasures (Vale of Glamorgan Council).

Sources :
Pm desc text/Evans EM/2003/GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Project
02/PM List/RCAHM/1976/Glam Invent/Vol1 Pt1 No42
01/MM Record Card/OS/1962/ST 17 SW 3
07/MM Record Card/OS/1978/ST 17 SW
08/MM Photo/GGAT/Lewis W/1979-1980
03/PM Desc Text/Daniel GE/1950/Prehist Chamber Tombs of England & Wales p211
06/PM Desc Text/Grimes WF/1936/Prehist Proc Soc2/Meg Mons of Wales/pp124-6
04/PH Desc Text/Barnwell EL/1874/Arch Camb/p70-72
05/PH Desc Text/Lukis JW/1875/Arch Camb/p171-4
09/PM Desc Text/Savoury HN/1973/Ancient Mons of Prehist Wales/p19
10/PM List/Grimes WF/1931/BBCS volVI pt1 pp88-9
11/MM Photo/GGAT/Griffiths A/1983
12/MM Record Card/OS/1982/ST 17 SW 3
13/PM Desc Text/Cadw/Whittle E/1986/AM107
14/PM List/RCAHM/Grimes WF/1984/Glam Invent/VolII p143
15/PM Desc Text/Savoury HN/1949/Tinkinswood and St Lythans Long Cairns
16/PM Desc Text/Cadw/Whittle E/1987/AM107

Events :

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 374s

Compiled date : 01-10-1977


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