Llangyfelach Cross-Base

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 free standing cross base probably dating to the early medieval or medieval period, which stands in the churchyard to the south of the tower. The roughly rectangular grit stone block, is 0.76m tall at its maximum; it has lateral dimensions of 1.04m by 0.58m at the top which increase to 1.14m by 0.68m at the base. In the upper surface there is a rectangular socket 0.48m by 0.30m and 0.33m deep which would have provided the seating for a pillar-cross probably some 3m tall, this has been covered by a modern stone bearing a dedication to the restoration of the stone in 1926. On each face there is a narrow horizontal panel of decoration carved in low relief and slightly distorted to fit the irregularity of the block. The east panel has double-beaded knot work on its upper edge which has six cords forming four Stafford-knots and a pair of loops at the north edge. The south side the main panel is decorated in a triangular key-pattern in a double band which is abutted on the west by a small square panel of diaper key-pattern. The west panel also contains a triangular key-pattern in a double band compressed at the southern edge following the contours of the stone. The north side is filled by a panel of plain loose five-cord plait work with pellets of varying size filling the spaces.

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 base 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.