Two Cairns on Fan Foel

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 two burial cairns, probably dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC) which are located within sight of each other in a prominent position on the ridge of Fan Foel. Both are circular mounds, measuring 16m and 11m in diameter. The northern cairn is thought to have undergone antiquarian investigations, the other appears undisturbed.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. The monument is an important relic of a prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape and retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of both intact burial or ritual deposits, together with environmental and structural evidence. Cairns may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can be 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. It is two circles, both with a diameter of 24m, centred on the cairns.