Ffridd yr Ystrad Cairns

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 three burial cairns, probably dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC). The cairns vary between 6-8m in diameter and average 0.4m in height. The westernmost cairn is notable for the presence of a central burial cist measuring 0.9m x 0.6m, its sides lined by stone slabs. By contrast, the most southerly cairn is undisturbed and the central cairn is accompanied by a small standing stone.

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 intact burial or ritual deposits, together with environmental and structural evidence. Cairns 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. It is three circles, all with a diameter of 20m.