The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Bridgend Standing Stone

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00390m
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Bridgend
Unitary authority : Bridgend
NGR : SS9021179515
Site Type (preferred type first) : Bronze Age Standing stone
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
Standing stone on the floodplain of the River Ogmore, slightly displaced from its original location on account of the construction of a new road, which now overlies its original position. The original site was excavated by NMW staff, who found the cremation of an adult underneath.

Description :
The second end 25" OS map gives the original location of the stone as SS9022079517. Standing stone on the floodplain of the River Ogmore, slightly displaced from its original location. RCAHMW summarises the results of the excavation as follows: 'The stone was removed for re-erection in 1964 and the site excavated (Lewis 1966).

The stone was 2.2m in total length and stood in an oval hole dug 0.8m into the subsoil. The filling showed signs recent disturbance but still contained some large packing stones and one flake of grey flint. Underneath the stone was a cremation deposit of burnt bone and charcoal. The bone fragments represented part only of one adult; the charcoal was entirely of ash except for one twig of hazel.'

The stone is a block of grey sandstone, roughly a parallelogram in plan and re-erected so that its longer sides face S and E; top gently rounded. N side has a vertical groove on either side of a central `panel' with a vertical row of four contiguous hollows immediately to the W of the W groove, with its centre c1m above present ground level. There is one similar hollow at about the same height to the E of the E groove.

These have been suggested as cutmarks; they certainly seem to be artificial, unlike the grooves which could be the result of weathering, since they area aligned on the bedding planes of the stone (which can be seen more clearly on the S face). The grooves do not now extend down to ground level. The S side has no features which might be the result of deliberate activity.

Reference: Lewis, J M, 1966, The excavation of four standing stones in South Wales, Bull Board Celtic Stud iii 1965, 250-64 (250-4) Dimensions: 0.9x0.5m; 1.6m high.
(1965/1976) On level ground in the valley of the Afon Ogwr. A sandstone monolith, leaning slightly to the NW, 0.9m wide and 0.5m thick. It was probably 1.5m high originally but soil has drifted against the base. Vertical corrugations on its E face are natural (they do not continue below the ground surface and were therefore interpreted by excavator as weathering..

The stone was removed for re-erection in 1964 and the site excavated. The stone was 2.2m in total length and stood in an oval hole dug 0.8m into the subsoil. The filling showed signs recent disturbance but still contained some large packing stones and one flake of grey flint. Underneath the stone was a cremation deposit of burnt bone and charcoal. The bone fragments represented part only of one adult; the charcoal was entirely of ash except for one twig of hazel. (Source 03/01)

(1986) The stone now stands in grass next to a footpath leading to the Bridgend Bowls Centre. The whole area has been landscaped and built over. The stone stands 1.8m high, is 0.8m across and 0.6m wide. Its sides are roughly vertical. On the north side there are a series of vertical grooves, some with 'cup marks' along them. There are one or two 'cup marks' on the south side. (Source 06) GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Project.

Sources :
PM Desc Text/Evans EM/2000/GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Project
02/MM Record Card/OS//1967/SS 97 NW 1/;
01/PM List/RCHM//1976/Glam Invent/No.559;
03/PM Desc Text///1965/Bull Board Celtic Stud/21 p.250-4;
06/MM Desc Text/Cadw/Whittle E/13.01.86 AM7//SS 97 NW
05/MM Record Card/OS//1978/SS 97 NW 1/;
04/PM Desc Text/DOE//1979/Mid Glam Imp Report/3.3.2;

Events :
E000181 : Bridgend Standing Stone (year : 1964)
E006299 : South Wales Police Headquarters, Bridgend (year : 2018)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 93086

Compiled date : 01-03-1977


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