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Historic Environment Record
 

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Carn Bugail (Gelligaer Common Round Cairns SAM GM 220e)

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00631m
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Bedlinog
Unitary authority : Merthyr Tydfil
NGR : SO1004503563
Site Type (preferred type first) : Bronze Age Cairn
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
Flat-topped mound on the summit, close to PRN 630m and intervisible with it. A trig point built on cairn, just to the W of the cist. The body of the cairn appears to be made up of fairly small slabby pieces of sandstone (c0.1-0.4m), with sandstone kerb

Description :
Flat-topped mound on the summit, close to PRN 630m and intervisible with it. A trig point built on cairn, just to the W of the cist. The body of the cairn appears to be made up of fairly small slabby pieces of sandstone (c0.1-0.4m), with sandstone kerbstones visible around the edges in places. The sides of the cist survive on the E and W sides and the capstone (2.0x1.4m) is tipped up at the N end; RCAHMW estimates its original size as about 2.1m NNW-SSE by 0.9m. RCAHMW summarises the excavation history as follows: 'There is record that this cairn, with others, near, was opened c1700, urns and burnt bones being found. A description by Lukis is 1875 records the existence of three cists set parallel, each apparently measuring about 3m long be 0.6m wide, two divided by transverse slabs (Lukis 1875, 183). During investigations in 1965] only the central cist was found, much ruined but apparently not of exceptional length, and there was no disturbance of the body of the cairn such as might have been expected if the other cists had been removed. Although cists of the size indicated by Lukis could be fitted into the part of the cairn which was not re-examined, no trace of them could be seen. Lukis however, was a careful observer.It would seem likely therefore that the three long cists noted by him were secondary features inserted into the cairn at a high level and since destroyed; most cairns on the common have been partly robbed of stone.'
Reference: Lukis, J W, 1875, St Lythans' and St Nicholas' Cromlechs and other remains near Cardiff, Archaeol Cambrensis 4 ser 6, 171-85 Dimensions: 15m in diameter; height 1.6m max
(1956) the cairn, much disturbed in the upper layers, is composed of flat stones of varying sizes. It has a diameter of 15.0m and a height of 1.1m. There is a fragmentary retaining circle, some of the stones of which have been pulled out and some have an outward lean. The average size of the stones is 1.3x0.6m by 0.1m thick. The cairn is surmounted by an OS Trig pillar. (Source 04)
(1965/1976) Near the summit of Cefn Gelli-gaer; one of a group of fourteen somewhat loosely associated with an old trail following the crest of the ridge, which seems to have been much the same line as that followed by a Roman road. It consists of an almost circular mound, measuring 15.5m by 16.4m, bounded by a kerb of one or two large slabs laid flat, about 0.3m high and still exposed in places. At the centre is a damaged cist, probably originally about 2.1m NNW-SSE by 0.9m and lined with upright slabs, but only one of these, on the W, now remains, about 1.2m by 0.1m thick by0.7m high. The cover-stone, oval, 2.0xc1.4m by 0.3m thick, has been displaced to the S. The cist has been constructed on the natural rock surface, and its top is level with the present surface of the cairn. A slab, perhaps one of displaced side-slabs, now forms the floor. The cairn seems to be built mostly of slabs sloping upwards and overlapping towards the centre. Those near the cist and kerb are particularly large.
There is record that this cairn, with others, near, was opened c1700, urns and burnt bones being found. A description by Lukis is 1875 records the existence of three cists set parallel, each apparently measuring about 3m long be 0.6m wide, two divided by transverse slabs (Arch Camb 1875, 183). During investigations in 1965] only the central cist was found, much ruined but apparently not of exceptional length, and there was no disturbance of the body of the cairn such as might have been expected if the other cists had been removed. Although cists of the size indicated by L could be fitted into the part of the cairn which was not re-examined, no trace of them could be seen. L however, was a careful observer.It would seem likely therefore that the three long cists noted by him were secondary features inserted into the cairn at a high level and since destroyed; most cairns on the common have been partly robbed of stone. (Source 01)
(1982) Large round cairn with kerb and central cist
(1985) The cairn is situated at the summit of the hill, with the Trig point in the middle of it. It is a flat-topped mound, 15m in diameter, c2m high, with a surface of stones. In the middle is a large slab, 2.0x1.5m, raised at its N end, with the remains of a cist underneath. Only the side slabs of this remain, and the inside is filled with stones . There are two disturbance hollows on the N side, and round the edge are large kerbstones, especially on the S side. (Source 07)
GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Project

Sources :
PM Desc Text/Evans EM/2000/GGAT 72 Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Project
01/PM List/RCAHM/1976/Glam Invent/No156
02/PH Desc Text/1853/Arch Camb/p138
03/PH Desc Text/Lukis JW/1875/Arch Camb/p183 & plan
04/MM Record Card/OS/1957/SO 10 SW 5
06/MM Record Card/OS/1979/SO 10 SW 5
08/MM Air Photo/GGAT/Newman R/1986
05/PM Desc Text/Hogg AHA/1965/Arch in Wales/p9
07/MM Desc Text/CADW/Whittle E/1985/AM 107
03/PM Desc Text/Lynch & Burgess/Savory HN/1972/Prehist Man in Wales and the West/p133

Events :
E002343 : Gelli-gaer Windfarm (year : 1998)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 501-3m
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 507m
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 513m
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 531m
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 629-42m

Compiled date : 01-08-1977


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