Cairns and Standing Stones on Carnau Cefn-y-Ffordd

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of an extensive group of ring cairns of earth and stone, which probably date to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC), situated on the sloping hillside of Carnau Cefn y Ffordd. Central to the group are two impressive ring cairns which are prominent on the hillside. Around them are, a less impressive ring cairn, a platform cairn and four or five round cairns - the authenticity of one is doubtful and could be a natural feature. The largest of the ring cairns has a diameter of 25m and is defined by a low stony bank with a grassy interior. There is some disturbance within the bank and some stones have been strewn on one side towards the second main cairn which is 22m diameter with apparently a small satellite cairn on one side. A third ring cairn is 11m in diameter defined by a stony bank 0.3m high and 0.2m wide. A small standing stone 0.7m high stands to the west of the main complex surrounded by a heap of stones.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. The feature is an important relic of a prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape and retains significant archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of both intact ritual and burial deposits, together with environmental and structural evidence. Ring cairns may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.