Derwen Cross

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument consists of a highly decorated free standing cross probably dating to the early medieval or medieval period. The cross sits within the churchyard and is supported in a square block of sandstone. The height of the cross is 2.9m, whilst the combined height of the cross and sandstone block is 4.1m. The shaft has chamfered corners, decorated with foliated motifs near the base and at the top of the shaft, which are integrated with various carved figures and faces. A carving of an angel survives on the south west corner of the shaft, 1.2m from the base. The lantern headed top at the head of the shaft, features a Crucifixion scene with St John and the Blessed Virgin on the west face, and the Scales of Justice on the south face. The carvings of the Virgin and Child on the north and the Piety face on the east have become weathered and are not clearly discernable. The carvings on all four faces are recessed into the block and surrounded by a carved stone frame. The head of the shaft below the lantern top is decorated with a border of floral motifs.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the organisation and practice of Christianity. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. A cross may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can 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.