Burnt Mound 120m SSE of Cippin Fach

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument consists of the remains of a burnt mound, probably dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2,300BC - 800BC). A burnt mound is an accumulation of burnt (fire-crazed) stones, ash and charcoal, usually sited next to a river or lake, with hearths and/or some form of trough or basin capable of holding water either within the mound or adjacent to it. The mound has an irregular oval shape and is grass covered. It lies on the northern slope of Cwm Yr Esgyr and measures 14m east to west, 11.5m north to south and is 1m high. A standing stone measuring 1.2m in height is situated on top of the mound, however, whether the stone is an original feature or was added later is unknown. Augering and recent drainage works show the mound is constructed of fire-cracked stone and burnt soil.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and environmental evidence. A burnt mound 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.