The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Foel Chwern Round Cairn

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00577w
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Blaengwrach
Unitary authority : Neath Port Talbot
NGR : SN8985003877
Site Type (preferred type first) : Bronze Age Cairn
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
This site lies at the point where the high plateau of the mountain summit gives way at the N to the steep escarpment overlooking Hirwaun; it is one of a series strung out on the edge of Rhigos mountain over a distance of about 6km. GGAT 72

Description :
This site lies at the point where the high plateau of the mountain summit gives way at the N to the steep escarpment overlooking Hirwaun; it is one of a series strung out on the edge of Rhigos mountain over a distance of about 6km (576w, 577w, 818w, 013m, 014m). Largely grass-covered mound, the edges of which are not clearly visible (measurement taken over area of detectable stone); the cairn may have been cut into at the S side by the forestry track, but it is difficult to be certain. Where stone is visible, it takes the form of pieces of slabby sandstone <0.5m. There is the stump of a telegraph-grade pole in the middle, and a pile of stones, probably derived from the cairn is piled up on the S side of the track. c8.9m diameter; c0.4m high GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites survey 2001.

(1956) A cairn constructed of small stones now overgrown with grass. It has a diameter of 10.0m and is 0.4m high. (Source 03)
(1960/1976) Above Craig y Llyn, at the N edge of the moorland above the escarpment overlooking the upper Neath Valley.
Foel Chwern,on a slight summit at about 550m above OD. Of small slabs and earth , turf covered; 7.3m in diameter , 0.6m high. (Source 02)
(1977) The cairn was partly excavated after having been damaged by the FC and found to be oval in plan, 35ft x 30 ft. There was no trace of a burial or any finds. (Source 10)
(1982) Round cairn, flat topped and partly turf covered, 8.0m in diameter east to west and 0.4m in height. It is disturbed on the south side and a sawn off telegraph pole, painted orange, protrudes through the cairn on the north. A pile of stones on the other side of the track to the south is doubtless material removed during the excavations. Published survey correct. (Source 04)
(1985) As well as the orange post , there is now an indicator post marked K inserted in the SW of the mound. This presumably refers to the forest walks. Most of the cairn is now grass grown and one stone has gone. (Source 07)
(1991) The cairn remains much as before. Marked post removed. Other notes on modern surface refuse (Source 08)
(1997) The cairn remains as before. Trees in the surrounding area are now about 6m high. The site has wide views to the N and E , although there appears to be a higher summit not far to the W. Trees to the S are so dense , so that it is not possible to access the view in this direction. (Source 09)
(1999) Cairn 10m x 1.2m high. Overgrown with vegetation and on a public path/green lane. The cairn has the remains of a telegraph pole in the centre once used for aircraft warning lights. (Source 01)

Sources :
Roese H.E. , 1981 , Some aspects of Topographical locations of Neolithic and Bronze age monuments in Wales - III - Round Cairns and Round Barrows. , The Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies : XXIX pt.3 : 575-587
01/ Forest Enterprise Welsh Heritage Assets Project Phase III
02/ PM list// RCAHM/// 1976/ Glam Invent/ p 66 No. 118
03/ MM Record card/ OS/// 1957/ SN 80 SE 5/
04/ MM Record card/ OS/// 1982/ SN 80 SE 5/
05/ MMAP/ RCAHM// 925047 - 01
06/ MM Desc text/ CADW/ 1991/ AM 107/
07/ MM Desc text/ CADW/ Burnham/ HB/ 1985/ AM 107
08/ MM Desc text/ CADW/ Burnham/ HB/ 1991/ AM 107
09/ MM Desc text/ CADW/ Burnham/ HB/ 1997/ AM 107
10/ MM Record card/ OS/// 1977/ SN 80 SE 5/
Forest Enterprise Welsh Heritage Assets Project Phase III

Events :

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 576w
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 818w

Compiled date :


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