Gwar-castell, Round Cairn Pair 375m SE of

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of two burial cairns, probably dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC). They are located in rough pasture on the W-facing slopes of Banc Mawr above the confluence of the Groes Fechan and Groes Fawr rivers. The W cairn (Item 'A') is circular in shape and measures c. 5.5m in diameter and a maximum of 0.4m in height. Vertically set stones laid lengthwise on the edge of the cairn indicate the presence of a kerb. The E cairn (Item 'B') is situated c. 20m upslope of the first. It is sub-circular in shape and measures c. 5m in diameter and up to 0.3m in height. A large displaced stone may indicate the presence of a cist.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. It 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 intact burial or ritual deposits, together with environmental and structural evidence. Their importance is further enhanced by their group value with a series of cairns across Banc Mawr and Garn Gron to the NE.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is rectangular in shape and measures 50m E-W by 30m transversely.