Prehistoric Rock Art on Mynydd Eglwysilan Common

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The monument comprises two sandstone cup-marked rock art panels probably dating to the Early to Middle Bronze Age (2500-1600 BCE). The panels are located either side of a wide, north-facing valley on Eglwysilian Common in rough pasture. The first panel (Item A) is located on the break of slope on the east-facing side of a north-south aligned ridge overlooking the stream valley. The stone is tilted eastwards and measures 1.3m east-west by 1.2m transversely. The panel includes at least ten cups the largest of which measure 80mm in diameter and 20mm in depth, together with at least one inscribed line. The second panel (Item B) is located 220m SSE of Item A on a north-facing slope overlooking the stream valley. The stone is flat and measures 1.37m north-south by 0.84m transversely. The panel includes at least thirty-five cups with many inter-connecting lines.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric society. The exact meaning and function of the cup-mark design remains unknown and is enigmatic, and a wide range of interpretations have been suggested. They may have acted as route markers or demarcated territorial boundaries. Alternatively their association with nearby Bronze Age ritual or funerary monuments (Carneddi Llwydion, GM302 & Cairnfield on Mynydd Eglwysilian, GM352), may indicate a sacred meaning for those that created and observed them as part of a ritual landscape.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. Item A is circular, measures 5m in diameter and is centred on NGR ST10797 92437. Item B is circular, measures 5m in diameter and is centred on NGR ST10901 92244.