Maen-Pebyll Burial Chamber

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 a prehistoric funerary and ritual structure, probably dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age periods (c.4200 - 2300 BC or 2300 - 800 BC respectively). It is located on a gentle W-facing slope above the narrow, steep valley of Nant Cerrig-nadd. The structure consists of a low, stony and rectangular-shaped mound aligned ENE-WSW. It measures c. 38m in length, 18m in width and 0.5m in height. Four prominent large stones are located at the ENE end of the mound. The bank appears to turn in towards the stones at its ENE end, perhaps forming a shallow forecourt as found at Capel Garmon. The WSW end of the mound is rounded.

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 structural evidence and intact associated deposits.

The area covered by the original designation did not relate accurately to the remains on the ground and was too large. The scheduled area has been revised in order to rectify the original designation. The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is an irregular polygon in shape and measures 58m ENE-WSW by 37m transversely.