Maen Llwyd in Glynllifon

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises a large standing stone, which probably dates to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC). It measures 2.9 m high; the base is roughly of four sides, the north and east sides being 1.2 m wide, the west side 0.9 m wide and the south side 0.65 m wide. There are strong striated lines down the north face, and also seven small slots 0.30 m long, 0.75 - 1cm wide and 2.0 cm deep. They run diagonally down the face of the stone, covering a spread of 0.34 m. The stone stands in parkland, which was once part of the Glynllifon estate.

An excavation in 1875 on the E side of the stone found evidence of a cremation and fragments of an urn, probably of Early Bronze Age date. Further excavations in 1931 yielded some pieces of quartz, charcoal and a few small packing stones.

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. Standing stones are often 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.