Pen-Lan-Uchaf Standing Stone

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises of a large standing stone located in the middle of an enclosed field of pasture on a SE facing slope on a slight knoll overlooking the river Gwendraeth Fach. The earthfast stone measures c. 1.95m tall, 1.8m wide and 0.9m thick and is roughly rectangular in shape on plan, whilst in section; the stone's sides swell gently and rise to a bluntly pointed top. It is aligned north west to south east. The surface of the stone is weathered and is notable for its quartz content. Stones to the north and south of the base of the stone may represent packing stones.

The standing stone is thought to be of religious or ceremonial significance and to date to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 BC - 800 BC). The monument is likely to retain significant archaeological deposits and enhance our knowledge of prehistoric ritual practices. The scheduling has been revised as the original scheduled area was too large.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is circular and measures 10m in diameter.