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<< Our Photo Pages >> Pillar of Eliseg - Early Christian Sculptured Stone in Wales in Denbighshire

Submitted by Andy B on Friday, 02 December 2011  Page Views: 18688

Early Medieval (Dark Age)Site Name: Pillar of Eliseg Alternative Name: LLantysilio-yn-ial, Eliseg's Pillar
Country: Wales
NOTE: This site is 1.367 km away from the location you searched for.
County: Denbighshire Type: Early Christian Sculptured Stone
Nearest Town: Llangollen  Nearest Village: Pentrefelin
Map Ref: SJ20264452  Landranger Map Number: 117
Latitude: 52.992052N  Longitude: 3.189411W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 3 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

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cactus_chris visited on 21st Apr 2018 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 4 In what could be a very muddy farmers field.

SandyG have visited here

Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by Thorgrim : The Pillar of Eliseg near Valle Crucis Abbey (SJ 203445). The last king of Powys had this stone erected before he died in 854. The long and now very faint inscription gives his descent from Vortigern (see Dinas Emrys) (Vote or comment on this photo)
Early Christian Sculptured Stone in Powys

The Pillar of Eliseg near Valle Crucis Abbey (SJ 203445). The last king of Powys had this stone erected before he died in 854. The long and now very faint inscription gives his descent from Vortigern (see Dinas Emrys).

For more information see Coflein NPRN 165274.

Note: A lecture on the Pillar of Eliseg by Professor Nancy Edwards on December 7th in Anglesey. Also other museum talks in various locations throughout December, see our Latest section and see our page for events at Stonehege and Avebury.
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Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by postman : A couple of winters ago. (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by Sunny100 : The Pillar of Eliseg, dating from the 9th century, has what are now very faint inscriptions carved upon it. Erected by Cyngen in memory of his great-grandfather, Eliseg c840-850 AD. Only seven lines of the inscription are visible today. The pillar stands on what could be a Bronze Age tumulus. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by cactus_chris : 20180421--Elisegs Pillar, Llangollen, Wales (Vote or comment on this photo)

Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by SandyG : This photograph was taken in June 1980. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by postman : Pity about those gosh darned cables.

Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by TimPrevett : The sign says it all... do we know what period the mound is beneath the cross?

Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by astronomer : This closeup shows the mineralised fossils that have weathered out of the sandstone pillar. They look as though they should be identifiable. Any suggestions as to where the pillar was quarried?

Pillar of Eliseg
Pillar of Eliseg submitted by astronomer : This picturesshows the diagonal stratification of Eliseg's pillar and its base stone. Both are a medium grain sandstone, not quite a Millstone grit, containing a stratum of weathered mineralised fossils. Can anyone recognise the geology and suggest where the pillar was quarried.

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"Pillar of Eliseg" | Login/Create an Account | 16 News and Comments
  
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Video: Excavating Early Christian Britain: The Unique & Enigmatical Pillar of Eliseg by Andy B on Saturday, 01 May 2021
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Excavating Early Christian Britain: The Unique & Enigmatical Pillar of Eliseg

A talk Prof Howard M R Williams gave to the Churches Conservation Trust on Thursday 29 April 2021.

Today under Cadw stewardship, the Pillar of Eliseg is a fragment of an early 9th-century cross-shaft set in its original base upon a prehistoric burial mound near the ruins of the later medieval Cistercian house of Valle Crucis, Denbighshire, Wales. The cross-shaft bears a now-eligible Latin inscription commemorating the martial victories of Eliseg of Powys and honouring his legendary ancestors. The inscription states the cross was raised by Elise’s great-grandson Concenn (d. AD 854). What, when, where, how, and why was the Pillar of Eliseg created, by whom? This presentation explores the story of one of Britain’s most important yet enigmatic early medieval monuments, presenting the results of archaeological fieldwork by Bangor and Chester universities (2010–2012) which revealed new insights into the monument’s life-history from prehistory to the present day. The entwined themes of power and faith help us to understand its construction and enduring legacy.

WATCH ON FACEBOOK LIVE: https://fb.watch/5aQPDZOeFK/

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oPOaZ2V-1Q

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Public Archaeology in Fragments, by Howard Williams by Andy B on Tuesday, 02 May 2017
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This presentation explores the challenges of Project Eliseg’s (2010–present) public archaeology. Investigating what transpired to be a multi-phased Early Bronze Age kerbed cairn surmounted by a 9th-century round-shafted cross with a long Latin inscription, Project Eliseg explored the complex biography of the Pillar of Eliseg (Denbighshire, Wales) from prehistory to the present.

The cairn and cross were incorporated into the Cistercian monastic landscape during the 13th-16th centuries, and the sculpted cross was pulled down/fell down and fragmented in the 17th century. In the late 18th century, the mound was dug into and a skeleton found before the cross fragments were ‘restored’ and re-inscribed by local squire Trevor Lloyd. Subsequently, the Pillar became a romantic ruin and an enduring landmark down to the present day connected to a network of ancient and historic monuments in the Vale of Llangollen, including Valle Crucis Abbey, Castell Dinas Brân, Llangollen and Plas Newydd.

Between 2010 and 2012, three seasons of field investigation by Bangor and Chester universities sought to better understand the mound beneath the Pillar, drawing on university students and local volunteers and incorporating a range of outreach activities.

https://projecteliseg.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/public-archaeology-in-fragments-by-howard-williams-the-2017-public-archaeology-twitter-conference/
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Videos from Project Eliseg, Season Two, Pillar of Eliseg Archaeological Excavation by Andy B on Monday, 28 September 2015
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Project Eliseg, Season Two, Pillar of Eliseg Archaeological Excavation

Summary of excavations at the Pillar of Eliseg, Llangollen. The excavation was carried out by Project Eliseg, a collaborative archaeological research project investigating one of Britain's most enigmatic early medieval monuments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=9&v=ZrupFNc3GA4

Many more videos at
https://www.youtube.com/user/ProjectElisegMedia/videos
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The Pillar of Eliseg’s Topography of Memory by Andy B on Monday, 28 September 2015
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Prof. Howard M. R. Williams writes: some basic information about the Pillar’s complex biography evident on the surface and revealed through our 2010-12 excavations. In the spirit of a genealogy, rather than a biography, I begin with the present and move back into the past.

21st century – Archaeology, Reconstitution and Restrictions
20th century – Heritage and History
19th century – Tourism and Trees
18th century – Reconstitution and Rededication
17th century – Absent Presences
The Middle Ages – Naming the Monument
The Ninth-Century Cross

Only two fragments of the original cross-and-base survive and its text is near illegible. However, the text, circular form of the shaft, and large stone base are a striking and distinctive survival of a monument type better known from among the Mercian rivals of the kings of Powys who erected this monument. Likewise, the cross-shaft, with its swags, has ninth-century paralles from Cumbria and is a distinctive early medieval form.

What is particularly lacking is any evidence from the excavations of ninth-century activity. While post-excavation work might reveal further traces, our dig didn’t reveal conclusive evidence of the site’s use as a settlement, burial ground or anything else for that matter. This isn’t surprising, since identifying any of these activities from archaeological evidence from Western Britain in this period is a huge challenge.

Prehistoric Origins

Finally, at the top of the genealogy is the prehistoric evidence: we have conclusively and convincingly shown that the mound beneath the Pillar was a multi-phased Bronze Age kerbed cairn with at least three secondary cists. Only one of the cits we dug was found to be undisturbed. In this one, the cremated remains of multiple individuals – adult and children – and artefacts (a bone pin and flint scraper) were found. This form of mortuary practice is well attested from North Wales, but this conclusively demonstrates a prehistoric data for the monumental sequence.

Read more at:
https://howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/the-pillar-of-eliseg/

and
https://howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/the-pillar-of-elisegs-topography-of-memory/
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Archaeologists try to unlock the mysteries of an ancient and iconic Welsh burial site by davidmorgan on Tuesday, 18 September 2012
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ARCHAEOLOGISTS have embarked on an excavation to unlock the mysteries of an ancient and iconic Welsh burial site.

Staff and students from the University of Chester and fellow specialists from Bangor University, have started the third phase of Project Eliseg at. Llangollen.

The team are hoping to unearth the secrets of a ninth-century stone monument on a prehistoric mound at The Pillar of Eliseg near Valle Crucis Abbey in Llangollen.

Professor Nancy Edwards of Bangor University’s School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology, said: ”The main aim of the project is to better understand this enigmatic monument and how it was used and reused over time.”

The Pillar of Eliseg was originally a tall stone cross but only part of a round shaft survives set within its original base.

It once bore a long Latin inscription saying that the cross was raised by Concenn, ruler of the kingdom of Powys, who died in AD 854, in memory of his great-grandfather, Eliseg.

Phase one of the project, in 2010, focused on the mound, which was identified as an early Bronze Age cairn.

The archaeologists completed the second phase in September 2011, by revealing for the first time details of the cairn’s composition and evidence of many stages in its history.

The experts found possible cremated remains and bone fragments dating back to the Bronze Age and diggers found pieces of Roman pottery as well as shards of post medieval pottery and a spindle whorl at the top of the mound on which the pillar stands.

The undisturbed mound in this trench was then partially excavated revealing a likely early medieval long-cist grave in the section as well as evidence suggesting the interment of cremations during the Bronze Age.

This is now the focus of the third phase.

An open afternoon will be held on Saturday, September 9 between 2pm and 5pm at The Pillar of Eliseg to give the public an opportunity to find more about the third season of excavations.

The archaeologists are carrying out a third season of excavations at the site between August 26 and September 16.

http://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/115663/archaeologists-in-quest-to-unearth-mysteries-of-past.aspx

Submitted by coldrum.
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Re: Pillar of Eliseg by dereklongman1 on Thursday, 08 December 2011
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There are also two other stone pillars of this same design, one in Leek churchyard Staffordshire and the other a few miles north
Cluelow cross, nr Wildboarclough in cheshire
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Re: Pillar of Eliseg by coldrum on Sunday, 23 October 2011
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Bronze Age finds at Llangollen's Pillar of Eliseg

Remains dating back to the Bronze Age have been uncovered by archaeologists excavating the site of a 9th Century monument.

The finds were made during the latest dig at the Pillar of Eliseg near Llangollen, Denbighshire.

Possible cremated remains and bone fragments are now being examined.

The experts said the finds had complicated the picture regarding the site's historical significance and make it worthy of more investigation.

Bangor and Chester university experts and students have been involved in a dig with historical monuments agency Cadw to conserve and better understand the mound.

They gave updates, and shared photographs and films via Llangollen Museum's Facebook page during the dig.

Last year's excavations focused on the mound, which was identified as an early Bronze Age cairn.
Royal tribute

It is said the local landowner Trevor Lloyd re-erected the monument on the mound in 1773 after it fell over and found a grave with a body inside along with pieces of silver.

The experts have been trying to find if there any truth to the story which some think is legend.

Prof Nancy Edwards from Bangor University said to establish any truth in the story they had to clear away debris left by Lloyd more than 200 years ago.

"We have been digging that out to reveal what we think are the Bronze Age remains underneath," she said.

"We have had what we think is an early medieval long cist grave so it is looking even more complicated now and also what may be evidence of Bronze Age cremations."

The Pillar of Eliseg was originally a tall stone cross but only part of a round shaft survives set within its original base.

It once bore a long Latin inscription saying that the cross was raised by Concenn, ruler of the kingdom of Powys, who died in AD 854, in memory of his great-grandfather, Eliseg, who had driven Anglo-Saxon invaders out of the area.

An update on the latest finds will be published in the near future.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-15007707
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Archaeologists dig at Pillar of Eliseg near Llangollen by coldrum on Sunday, 23 October 2011
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Archaeologists dig at Pillar of Eliseg near Llangollen

Archaeologists are launching a new dig to try to unearth the secrets of a 9th Century stone monument on a prehistoric mound.

Bangor and Chester university experts will begin excavations at the Pillar of Eliseg near Llangollen, Denbighshire.

It is part of work by historical monuments agency Cadw to conserve the mound and better explain it to people.

Last year excavations focussed on the mound, which was identified as an early Bronze Age cairn.

It followed on from one in the 18th Century.
Dig in 2010 at the Pillar of Eliseg near Llangollen There will be an open afternoon at the archaeological site on 16 September

Professor Nancy Edwards from Bangor University told BBC Radio Wales: "We are looking at the relationship between the pillar and the early Bronze Age cairn on which it stands.

"Last year we did an exploratory excavation just to uncover areas and see what might remain underneath.

"This year we are going back to the cairn to one particular trench because we discovered evidence last year of the dig into the top of the cairn in 1773.
Tall stone cross

"This was at the point where the pillar had fallen and the local landowner Trevor Lloyd decided he was to resurrect it.

"He did this dig and claimed afterwards to have found a stone cist with a body in and pieces of silver and things.

"Now I think this is probably all legend rather than real."

There will be an open afternoon at the archaeological site on 16 September.

The Pillar of Eliseg was originally a tall stone cross but only part of a round shaft survives set within its original base.

It once bore a long Latin inscription saying that the cross was raised by Concenn, ruler of the kingdom of Powys, who died in AD 854, in memory of his great-grandfather, Eliseg, who had driven Anglo-Saxon invaders out of the area.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-14774061
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Re: Pillar of Eliseg: Archaeologists start to unearth Llangollen's past by guile on Wednesday, 28 September 2011
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Professor Nancy Edwards will be giving a lecture on the Pillar of Eliseg at 19.30 hours December 7th. at Canolfan Thomas Telford, Mona Road, Menai Bridge, Anglesey. [Opposite Waitrose carpark]

Full programme of events here

This link doesn't open in a new window - my apologies.
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Re: Pillar of Eliseg: Archaeologists start to unearth Llangollen's past by ledgehammer on Wednesday, 14 September 2011
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There is a youtube daily update video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9HCtREhyOg

from here you can find each day...

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Re: Pillar of Eliseg: Archaeologists start to unearth Llangollen's past by Runemage on Saturday, 03 September 2011
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Archaeologists are launching a new dig to try to unearth the secrets of a 9th Century stone monument on a prehistoric mound.

Bangor and Chester university experts will begin excavations at the Pillar of Eliseg near Llangollen, Denbighshire.

It is part of work by historical monuments agency Cadw to conserve the mound and better explain it to people.

Last year excavations focussed on the mound, which was identified as an early Bronze Age cairn.

It followed on from one in the 18th Century.
Dig in 2010 at the Pillar of Eliseg near Llangollen There will be an open afternoon at the archaeological site on 16 September

Professor Nancy Edwards from Bangor University told BBC Radio Wales: "We are looking at the relationship between the pillar and the early Bronze Age cairn on which it stands.

"Last year we did an exploratory excavation just to uncover areas and see what might remain underneath.

"This year we are going back to the cairn to one particular trench because we discovered evidence last year of the dig into the top of the cairn in 1773.
Tall stone cross

"This was at the point where the pillar had fallen and the local landowner Trevor Lloyd decided he was to resurrect it.

"He did this dig and claimed afterwards to have found a stone cist with a body in and pieces of silver and things.

"Now I think this is probably all legend rather than real."

There will be an open afternoon at the archaeological site on 16 September.

The Pillar of Eliseg was originally a tall stone cross but only part of a round shaft survives set within its original base.

It once bore a long Latin inscription saying that the cross was raised by Concenn, ruler of the kingdom of Powys, who died in AD 854, in memory of his great-grandfather, Eliseg, who had driven Anglo-Saxon invaders out of the area.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-14774061
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Re: Pillar of Eliseg: Archaeologists start to unearth Llangollen's past by Andy B on Tuesday, 24 August 2010
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University of Chester archaeologists involved in dig at Welsh burial site

ARCHAEOLOGISTS at the University of Chester have embarked on an excavation to unlock the mysteries of an ancient and iconic Welsh burial site.

Alongside fellow specialists from Bangor University, a team of experts from the History and Archaeology Department is excavating the mound at the famous ninth-century Pillar of Eliseg, near Valle Crucis Abbey, Llangollen.

Named Project Eliseg, the venture aims to establish whether the site dates back to the Bronze Age and will use modern archaeological methods to investigate the mound on which the pillar stands and its setting.

Dr Howard Williams, senior lecturer, is one of the co-ordinators of the excavation and explained the aims of Project Eliseg.

He said: “We hope to find evidence of how the early medieval kingdom of Powys defined itself through its monuments. If the mound proves to be prehistoric in date, then the Pillar of Eliseg was situated to invoke the ancient history written upon it.

“Early medieval kings were competing with each other on the battlefield but also through monumental propaganda of this kind.

“Chester and Bangor students studying archaeology will be taking part in the excavation alongside local volunteers.

“As well as revealing important information about this exceptional monument, the project will provide archaeological training for the degree programmes of both universities.”

Professor Nancy Edwards, from Bangor University’s School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology added: “Investigating this enigmatic monument will help us to discover more about the emergence of both Welsh and English early medieval kingdoms on the borders of Wales after the fall of Roman Britain.

“We are trying to date the barrow on which the pillar stands, and understand the broader archaeological context of the ninth-century pillar.

“The site, which is potentially of international significance, could date back to the Bronze Age.”

http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=university-of-chester-archaeologists-involved-in-dig-at-welsh-burial-site&method=full&objectid=27010268&siteid=50020-name_page.html?
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Re: Pillar of Eliseg: Archaeologists start to unearth Llangollen's past by Ian_Pegler on Monday, 02 August 2010
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There is now a dedicated website for this project:

http://projecteliseg.org/

and also a facebook page covering the excavation.

For an earlier BBC article click here.

There is also a BBC slideshow with audio commentary.

Ian
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Pillar of Eliseg: Archaeologists start to unearth Llangollen's past by bat400 on Sunday, 01 August 2010
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An archaeological dig is producing finds on the site of a historic 9th Century monument in Llangollen.

Within days of opening trenches on the site of the Pillar of Eliseg, diggers have found pieces of Roman pottery as well as shards of post medieval pottery. Other notable finds include a spindle whorl at the top of the mound on which the pillar stands.
A third trench, in the adjoining field, has been opened where archaeologists are investigating features brought to their attention via a geophysical survey.
Medieval archaeology Professor Nancy Edwards, from Bangor University, who is leading the dig, says the site was first dug in the 1700s by the former land owner who claimed to have unearthed a skeleton. She said the main aim of the dig was to understand more about the suspected burial mound on which the pillar stands.

Prof Edwards is blogging regularly about the dig via Llangollen Museum's Facebook page, along with other members of the dig team.

And the public will be allowed on-site during an open day (31 July), between 11am-3pm.

For more, see news.bbc.co.uk.
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Historic Welsh pillar that's shrouded in mystery by Andy B on Wednesday, 03 February 2010
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WITH a low lying mist over the hills all around, the Valley of the Cross seems a particularly mysterious place on this chilly morning.

While the elements – and the Roundheads, who apparently toppled it during the civil war – may have taken their toll, Eliseg’s Pillar remains a majestic sight on the horizon as you approach.

The monument from which the valley and the famous Cistercian Abbey, Valle Crucis, takes its name stands silently as it has for centuries.

The pillar has been the subject of renewed interest in recent years as archaeologists from the likes of Bangor and Chester universities have joined historians in looking at its significance.

In fact, a small archaeological study of the site is set to take place later this year.

These days the pillar stands at about eight feet tall, with a few extra feet afforded by its stone plinth and the base that was built by the man who re-erected it in 1779, Trevor Lloyd of Trevor Hall, who then owned the land.

Imagine then that when this incredible monument was first erected, some 1,200 years ago in the ninth century, it would have stood at more than 20 feet tall. That is if the earliest known account that mentions the pillar is to be believed.

“The earliest account we have of the pillar describes it as being 21 feet tall,” explained David Crane, manager of Llangollen Museum. “Edward Lluyd, an antiquarian who recorded the original inscription in 1796, reports that the pillar was knocked down in the civil war and was on the ground in pieces. The bit we see today is the top part – what happened to the lower part is unknown.”

Eliseg’s Pillar gives an important insight into the appropriately named ‘Dark Ages’ – a period when very little was recorded and thus little is known about.

This is largely because the ninth century inscription which, though now completely worn away, was thankfully recorded by Lluyd for future historians to puzzle over.

And puzzle over it they do – not just the inscription but the pillar itself as well as the mound it stands upon.

Could it be that the famous cross that gives the valley its name may not have been a cross at all?

David points out that the earliest description of the pillar says it is just that – a pillar, or to be precise a column – and that account was made in the early part of the 17th century, before the civil war.

“If it were a cross at that time you would presume that he would describe it as ‘a cross’ but he doesn’t. That isn’t to say that the top might have been knocked off it before that,” he added.

The inscription, recorded by Lluyd, reveals that the pillar was erected by Cyngen, King of Powys, in memory of his great-grandfather Eliseg who had won an important victory against the English, saving the kingdom of Powys.

Its position is also almost certainly significant.

“That type of monument is out of place in Powys (what would have been Powys then),” said Sue Evans, chairman of Llangollen Museum. “It was placed there as a piece of propaganda.

"It is on what would have been the border of old Powys at the base of the Horseshoe Pass and would have stated these are our lands, they have been our lands for a long time so don’t try anything.

"The land it is on should be important but whatever significance that land once had has been lost.

“There was a geophysics survey carried out on the site recently which showed what looks like evidence of prehistoric activity.”

David also pointed out that prior to the building of nearby Valle Crucis Abbey, about 400 years after the Cross was erected, there had been a township located there whose inhabitants were relocated to the old townships of Stansty and Northcroft (Wrexham) to afford the Cistercian monks privacy.

There are theories that the

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Re: Pillar of Eliseg by coldrum on Wednesday, 14 January 2009
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RCAHMW site record:

http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/165274/details/ELISEG%27S+PILLAR%2C+CROSS+AND+BURIAL+MOUND%2C+NEAR+LLANGOLLEN/
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