The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Carn Llechart Cairn Circle (Cerrig Pikes)

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00355w
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Pontardawe
Unitary authority : Neath Port Talbot
NGR : SN6973606271
Site Type (preferred type first) : Bronze Age Kerb circle
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
The monument now consists of a ring of 21 earthfast sandstone slabs (25 in 1962 when planned by RCAHMW), of which most appear to remain in situ, standing more or less upright, but with a slight outward lean. Most are wider than tall. GGAT 72

Description :
The monument now consists of a ring of 21 earthfast sandstone slabs (25 in 1962 when planned by RCAHMW), of which most appear to remain in situ, standing more or less upright, but with a slight outward lean. Most are wider than tall, width ranging from 0.7m to 2.3m, max height 1.1m. The central cist retains its slab lining on all sides except E, through stones are now leaning in; E side of whole has been widened beyond the limit of the N and S lining slabs; size of cist 2.2m (N-S) x 1.2m (measured on W and S lining slabs). To the E of the cist, just inside the circle of stones, there is a roughly circular area 2.4m diameter formed from small slabs and boulders. Small stones are scattered around interior and around outside of circle.
This circle lies just above chambered tomb 347w, which can be seen from it but not vice versa. 13.6m diameter; max height 1.1m GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites survey 2001.

(1956) The retaining circle is in good condition and as shown in the plan. The cist is 0.8m deep though the inclining slabs at the ends are respectively 1.0m and 1.2m high and protrude above the natural ground level. There is a spoil heap adjacent and parallel to the W side of the cist. It is 4.0m long , 2.0m wide and 0.4m high.The stones of the retaining circle are from 0.2m to 1.2m high and the interior contains a heavy scatter of stones at and below ground level indicating that the mound , of which no trace remains , was probably a cairn. ( Source 03 )
(1962/1976) A cairn circle on level moorland at 290m above O.D. Though not on an actual summit, the monument is strikingly seen against the skyline when approached from the N. along the trackway. It consists of a ring of twenty - five contiguous slabs,probably originally upright but now mostly leaning outwards slightly, 13.1 - 14 m in internal diameter. The slabs vary in length from 0.6 to 2.5 m ; none stands more than 0.9 m high. The level stony interior is very slightly above the surrounding ground level. At the centre is a rifled rectangular cist, 2.1 m long from N.N.W. to S.S.E. by 1.2 m wide.The E. slab and the capstone are missing, but the remaining side stones are in position though the S. slab leans inwards. To the W. of the cist is a mound of upcast from its excavation. ( Source 02 )
(1977) Survey correct . No change. ( Source 04 )
(1982) No change ( Source 05 )
(1985) No clear signs of a ditch, but a few hollows suggestive. The stones forming the ground surface within the circle are about 20 - 30 cm by about 10 cm. There are some signs of a shelter dug out of the S side just inside the ring. The stone is of the type outcropping just here. ( Source 14 )
(1989) The site appears relatively little changed since 1985 , although some interesting gradual processes are visible. Comparison of photographs suggest that the juncus ( rushes ) is increasing, while those smaller stones which are earthfast are tending to become submerged in the turf. A number of the other stones have clearly been ( re ? ) moved. The coal mine to the S of the site has been recommisioned since 1985. The circle also occupies a false crest position on approach from the south. The central area , the cist and the general surroundings of the site seem virtually unchanged. ( Source 16 )
(1996) The main change is that the hollow on the south has been entirely filled in, using the stones which were a pile to its side in 1989. Stones inside the cist have also been moved about somewhat, and it is clear from marks on the side - slabs that the cist holds water in the winter. Growth of rushes has increased somewhat. The opencast mine has been reconstituted as farmland (complete with a standing stone ). ( Source 01 )

Sources :
Evans, E , 2002 , Prehistoric funerary and ritual sites. Neath Port Talbot and Swansea
Smith E.G. , 1931 , Penlle'r Castell, Carn Llechart , Neath Antiquarian Society : II : 27-29
01/ MM Desc text/ CADW/ Burnham/ HB/ 1996/ AM 107C
01/PM List/Cadw/SAM Lists
02/ PM list// RCAHM// 1976/ Glam Invent/ p 57 No 66
03/ MM Record card/ OS/// 1957/ SS 60 NE 10/
04/ MM Record card/ OS/// 1977/ SS 60 NE 10/
05/ MM Record card/ OS/// 1982/ SS 60 NE 10/
06/ PH Desc text// Morgan/ WLI/ 1899/ Ant survey of E. Gower/ pp 44 - 6
07/ PM Desc text//// 1920/ Arch Camb/ p 367 - 8
08/ PM Desc text//// 19 / Arch Journal LXXIX / p 240
09/ PM Desc text// Wheeler/ REM/ 1925/ Prehist. & Roman Wales/ p 105
10/ PM Desc text// Rutter/ JG/ 1948/ Prehistoric Gower/ p 54 k3
11/ PM Desc text/ Grimes/ WF/ 1931 , 32/ Neath Ant. Soc./ p 90 , 93
12/ PM Mention// Gwynne Jones/ Dr. J./ 1982/ Swansea Valley Hist. Soc./ No. 17 ' A Guide to Local History ' p 3
13/ PM Desc text// Christy Davies/ J/ 1982/ Gower journal XXXIII/ Clydach/
14/ MM Desc text/ CADW/ Burnham/ HB/ 21.5.85/ / AM 7 78
15/ MMAP/ NMR - RCAHM/ Musson C./ 1988/ 88 - 5 - 4//
16/ MM Desc text/ Burnham/ HB/ 1989/ AM 107 78/
17/ MMAP/ RCAHM// 1992/ A 118 - 52

Events :

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 93103
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 347w

Compiled date :


March 29, 2025, 10:31 am - HTML file produced from GGAT HER Charitable Trust Ltd. Heathfield House, Heathfield, Swansea SA1 Tel. 01792 655208; Fax 01792 474469 website: www.ggat.org.uk  email: her@ggat.org.uk Registered Charity no. 505609
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