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<< Our Photo Pages >> Mynydd y Betws - Stone Row / Alignment in Wales in Carmarthenshire

Submitted by SandyG on Saturday, 04 February 2012  Page Views: 10897

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Mynydd y Betws Alternative Name: Bancbryn
Country: Wales County: Carmarthenshire Type: Stone Row / Alignment

Map Ref: SN6893610326
Latitude: 51.776211N  Longitude: 3.901117W
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.
no data 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.
no data 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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SandyG visited on 16th Jan 2012 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 2

Andy B have visited here

Mynydd y Betws
Mynydd y Betws submitted by SandyG : The central length of the row. View from the north east. This photograph was taken on 16th January 2012. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Sandy Gerrard describes a stone row and associated archaeology he has recently co-discovered on the site of an active wind farm development. The row is associated with over 30 cairns, some of which are kerbed, and he suggests that it may form the focus of an incredibly important ceremonial landscape where the form of space between the numerous earthwork and built elements are as integral and important as the earthworks themselves.

"I have spent much of my archaeological working life on Dartmoor and for one moment as we walked along the row I felt as if I had somehow magically been transported in an instant 100miles south. This is important because the form is so identical as to suggest a definite and tangible link between these people. The small size of the stones reflects what was available and even on Dartmoor some of the rows are formed by similar sized stones."

"It has been traced with a hand held GPS for 700m. The row is aligned SW to NE, which is the most common alignment for South West England rows. So it looks like a row, is associated with the sorts of things rows normally hang out with and even the alignment is right! Many of the stones peep through the peat and many more are probably lurking below. The similarity with the English examples is striking."

The discovery of this exciting monument has been tempered by the realisation that it is being cut into three parts by the new roads and the feeling that if it had been known about before it could have perhaps been saved in its entirety. Is it greedy to wish that the whole site could have been protected? It is now too late. The site is delicate and the huge diggers which have been trundling across it have already caused irreparable damage.

Read more, with photos at Heritage Action.

Update September 2019: This row is featured on Sandy's Stone Rows of Great Britain website - see his entry for Bancbryn, which includes a description, photographs, a simplified plan of the alignment showing its relationship with associated cairns; a plan of the upper part of the row; a base mapping of the row and associated monuments, plus access information and links to other online resources for more information.

The SRoGB also includes a number of other pages for this row. These include:
Sea Views (and landscape reveals) at Bancbryn;
Bancbryn Parallels (stone rows sharing characteristics with Bancbryn);
Bancbryn News (June 2017); and
Bancbryn stone alignment – Excavation Report (Draft).

Note: 700+ metre stone row at new wind farm appears to have been missed by archaeologists carrying out the pre-development survey, surely building work must cease until the site is more thoroughly explored, as 'Rescue' are calling for?
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Mynydd y Betws
Mynydd y Betws submitted by SandyG : Stone row leading past a small cairn. View from east. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Mynydd y Betws
Mynydd y Betws submitted by SandyG : Plan of cairn at head of alignment. Note how the later holloways skirt around this mound indicating that it is earlier. Other earthworks in the vicinity are connected with the surface extraction of coal. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Mynydd y Betws
Mynydd y Betws submitted by SandyG : Plan of the Bancbryn stone alignment and adjacent cairns (grey circles). (Vote or comment on this photo)

Mynydd y Betws
Mynydd y Betws submitted by SandyG : Simplified plan showing the position and orientation of the stone alignment relative to the adjacent cairns (red circles). The stone alignment leads from SN 68935 10329 to SN 68522 09736. The numbers in brackets refer to the Scheduled Ancient Monument number. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Mynydd y Betws
Mynydd y Betws submitted by SandyG : The row adjacent to the new windfarm access road. The length to the north east has recently been destroyed by the construction of the road. View from the south. Photograph taken on 7th February 2012.

Mynydd y Betws
Mynydd y Betws submitted by SandyG : View from south west of the stone row leading up Bancbryn. This photograph was taken on 16th January 2012.

Mynydd y Betws
Mynydd y Betws submitted by SandyG : Located on common land to the east of Ammanford in Carmarthenshire, Mynydd y Betws Wind Farm was granted planning consent in 2009. The wind farm will consist of 15 turbines with a tip height of 110 meters and an installed capacity of up to 45MW. Image copyright Cambrian Renewable Energy Limited

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 326m WSW 248° Bancbryn cairn cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (SN68631021)
 346m S 176° Bancbryn platform cairn* Cairn (SN68950998)
 492m SE 146° Llety'r-crydd cairn cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (SN69200991)
 588m NNW 342° Plas-y-coed cairns* Barrow Cemetery (SN68771089)
 1.9km W 274° Llech Yr Halen Marker Stone (SN670105)
 1.9km W 269° Henrhyd Cairns* Cairn (SN66991033)
 2.5km SE 135° Nant-Y-Gaseg modern stone circle* Modern Stone Circle etc (SN7063408515)
 3.2km WNW 303° Bodyst Uchaf ring cairn* Ring Cairn (SN66281213)
 3.4km E 83° Pen Y Waun NW 1 Cairn* Cairn (SN7231810629)
 3.4km E 84° Pen Y Waun NW 2 Cairn* Cairn (SN7234810576)
 4.1km SSE 168° Carn Llechart Chambered Tomb* Chambered Tomb (SN69670627)
 4.1km SSE 167° Carn Llechart Cairn Circle* Ring Cairn (SN69730627)
 4.5km ESE 108° Cefn Gwrhyd Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SN732088)
 4.6km S 169° Carn Llechart Megalithic Complex* Modern Stone Circle etc (SN69670576)
 4.7km ENE 78° Brynmelyn Quarry Cairn 1* Cairn (SN7353211152)
 4.8km E 79° Brynmelyn Quarry Cairn 2* Cairn (SN73661113)
 4.9km WSW 243° Pentwyn Mawr Round Cairn (SN64530826)
 5.1km E 80° Pen Rhiw fawr Standing Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SN740111)
 5.3km E 83° Pen Rhiw Fawr Cairn* Cairn (SN7424410863)
 5.6km WSW 242° Blaenffynhonnau Hut Circle Ancient Village or Settlement (SN63900783)
 5.8km NNE 14° Deg Arbedd* Cairn (SN70501591)
 5.8km SE 143° Llangiwg* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SN72380559)
 5.9km NNW 339° Banc Crucorfod Round Cairn* Round Cairn (SN67021587)
 5.9km NNW 329° Pen-y-Coed Maen Hir* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SN66011548)
 5.9km NNW 329° Penyrheolddu Ring Cairn* Ring Cairn (SN65991548)
View more nearby sites and additional images

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The Imagined Sound of Sun on Stone - Sally Beamish

The Imagined Sound of Sun on Stone - Sally Beamish

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"Mynydd y Betws" | Login/Create an Account | 12 News and Comments
  
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Re: Stone row at new wind farm “missed by archaeologists” ? by SandyG on Saturday, 17 February 2018
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The report on the excavations carried out in 2017 is now available here:
Betws Excavation Report 2017

and a guide to the archaeology in the area here:
Betws Guide
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Re: Mynydd y Betws by PAB on Thursday, 01 June 2017
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Received via our local History Society:

Mynydd y Betws, Carmarthenshire: Archaeological Excavation 10-21 July 2017

Mynydd y Betws, Sir Gaerfyrddin: Cloddfa Archaeolegol 10-21 Gorffennaf 2017


Dyfed Archaeological Trust is seeking volunteers to help excavate a group of prehistoric sites as part of the Mynydd y Betws Community Archaeological Project. The work will include the excavation of three prehistoric burial cairns and a stone alignment.

Mae Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Dyfed yn chwilio am wirfoddolwyr i helpu gyda gwaith cloddio grŵp o safleoedd cynhanesyddol fel rhan o Brosiect Archaeolegol Mynydd y Betws. Bydd y gwaith yn cynnwys cloddio tair carnedd gladdu gynhanesyddol ac aliniad cerrig.

If you would like to join us then please contact / Os hoffech ymuno â ni cysylltwch: Sarah Rees at/ar s.rees@dyfedarchaeology.org.uk or call/ neu ffoniwch 01558 825999 for more details/ am fwy onfanylion.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Mynydd y Betws by SandyG on Saturday, 15 July 2017
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    I am involved with the stone row part of the excavation. Will try and post some photographs and comments once the excavation has finished.
    [ Reply to This ]

The Mynydd Y Betws prehistoric landscape and the wind farm - Preliminary Report by Andy B on Tuesday, 21 February 2012
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Sandy Gerrard Preliminary Report 19th February 2012
The Mynydd Y Betws prehistoric landscape and the wind farm

In recent days much has appeared in the press about the stone row on Mynydd Y Betws. Some of the reporting has been slightly inaccurate and this may in part be a result of a misunderstanding of the character of the archaeology and development on the mountain. The development is vast, extending over 5km from end to end and the discussions have centred around a relatively small area on the slopes of Bancbryn along which the stone row runs.

Over the past few days I have been carrying out a rapid survey of the remains in this small area using a hand held GPS unit. The result is a map showing in broad terms the character and disposition of archaeological remains in the vicinity of the row. I have spent only about two full days in the field and further work will inevitably enhance the results.

See the link for more details, with a sketch map
http://www.littledrum.co.uk/savemynyddybetws/sgreport1.html

Sandy continues:
A large amount of documentation relating to the pre-construction archaeological aspects of this development can be found at
http://online.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/eaccessv2/
This makes very interesting and enlightening reading and confirms that despite the richness of this landscape no attempt was ever made to look for surface remains.

The reference number you need to enter is E/10446. Then click the documents tab at the top. This will reveal 6 pages of tables of linked information.
The most useful ones are:
E.S. VOL 3: FIG 18 ARCHAEOLOGY MAP FINAL
E.S. VOL 2: APPENDIX F – ARCHAEOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT: VOLUME 2 WRITTEN STATEMENT
Written Scheme of Investigation ~ August 2010
Archaeological Evaluation ~ March 2011
Archaeological Watching Brief

Taken together these papers provide a clear explanation of why archaeological remains in the area were not fully taken into account during the planning process and why the subsequent Scheme of Investigation failed to identify important archaeology within the development corridor. I hope you now appreciate why I feel that this important archaeological landscape has been sadly neglected.

Oh yes, and a link to the coverage in the Daily Mail, who have got things a bit arse about face, but still useful to see
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2101581/Multi-million-pound-windfarm-set-scrapped-walker-finds-line-ancient-stones.html
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Mynydd y Betws by Anonymous on Saturday, 11 February 2012
i hope this stops i believe this mountain has specific importance in regard to deheubarth , as i found a 100 ft wide circle foundation on the mountain which the history teacher i asked said it could be a motte and bailey or an iron age castle but i think it may be an older henge ... just glad the turbine aint going on top of it , just don't know who to tell to get them to dig it up :) and the stone found add more weight to the fact it is what i think it is :) shame they do this to a mountain named a house of prayer :(
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Mynydd y Betws by Anonymous on Saturday, 11 February 2012
    if anyone wants an airiel photo or has any info as i thought it was y naw carreg but i think that is to small but it is listed as an earthwork on a map i saw but not sure if it is the same , dmk3783@hotmail.com

    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Mynydd y Betws by Anonymous on Saturday, 11 February 2012
      nevermind i think nigel photographed it it is graig fawr , from the air on google maps its massive a large circle with a smaller circle within it which is 1/5th the size of the outer circle :) at least they know its there im happy :)
      [ Reply to This ]

Re: Stone row at new wind farm “missed by archaeologists” ? by Andy B on Tuesday, 07 February 2012
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Location updated as the previous one was wrong. I can't believe how visible it is on Google Earth (and Bing, we have links to both above)
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Re: Mynydd y Betws by LittleEnki on Sunday, 05 February 2012
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Great page, Andy, it seemed like a site that was just waiting for some divine intervention!:) They should get it cleaned up and get those tourists out there!
Cheers!
Littleenki
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'Rescue' say all work on Mynydd y Betws windfarm must stop by Andy B on Saturday, 04 February 2012
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ALL construction work around the recently-discovered Neolithic stone row at Mynydd y Betws must come to an immediate halt, according to one of the UK’s leading heritage law experts.

Peter Alexander-Fitzgerald, of Rescue – The British Archaeological Trust – has called for Carmarthenshire county council to use its powers to stop all work until a full survey of the area is carried out.

"The planning authority should apply for an Article Four Direction under the Town and Country Planning Order to stop all further work on the site," Mr Alexander-Fitzgerald told the South Wales Guardian.

"A full survey must be carried out.

"I find it incredible that the developer’s archaeologists found nothing of importance on the site – you would have to be blind to have missed this stone alignment.

"You do not even have to go there – the alignment is visible on Google Earth’s satellite pictures of the area.

More at
http://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/9503038.Expert_says_work_on_Mynydd_y_Betws_windfarm_must_stop/

See also news of the planning application being granted
http://wales.gov.uk/publications/accessinfo/drnewhomepage/environmentdrs2/environmentdrs2009/mynyddybetwswindfarm/;jsessionid=8ytVMmfJD36hCW2L4bvwGpZM20R8Bbt88L28gZXTCpnfVQ1llXvM!1736950240?lang=en

and the web site of the anti-windwarm Mynydd Llansadwrn Action Group who also have news of other develpments
http://www.turbineaction.co.uk/actiongroupnews.htm
[ Reply to This ]

Archaeological finds at Myndd Y Betws Wind Farm by Andy B on Saturday, 04 February 2012
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PUBLIC NOTICE – 3rd February 2012
MYNDD Y BETWS WIND FARM - ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS
Cambrian Renewable Energy Ltd (CREL) can confirm that a stone alignment was recently discovered traversing the construction corridor on Betws Common, Carmarthenshire. Although a comprehensive archaeological survey of the site, including a large series of
trial excavations, was undertaken in compliance with our planning conditions, these previously hidden features were only revealed following a gorse fire that occurred since the archaeological survey was completed.

As soon as the discovery was made, construction works in the area were diverted while CREL worked with Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) and the Welsh Government’s heritage organization CADW to fully survey the area and catalogue the finds. This work is
now complete and CADW and CCC are satisfied that construction works in the area can proceed.

The significance of the find has yet to be evaluated but three stones have been excavated and removed under controlled conditions by ESB’s retained professional archaeologists, working to a methodology fully agreed and monitored by CADW and Dyfed Archaeological Trust.

We will continue to work closely with experts from CCC and CADW to properly assess those small areas of the Common which will be impacted by construction activities and to
ensure that any finds are sensitively dealt with.

For further information, please do not hesitate to call our community helpline on 0845 262 6229 or email info@mynyddybetwswindfarm.co.uk

Source, and for more on the wind far development, see
http://www.mynyddybetwswindfarm.co.uk/
[ Reply to This ]

Stone row at new wind farm “missed by archaeologists” ? by Andy B on Saturday, 04 February 2012
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This is how Heritage Action announced the site last week, with more photos:
http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/stone-row-at-new-wind-farm-missed-by-archaeologists/
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