Disappearing Circles in the Preselis
Submitted by vicky on Wednesday, 19 June 2002 Page Views: 3322
Neolithic and Bronze AgeCountry: Wales County: Pembrokeshire Type: Stone CircleInternal Links:
Today only three circles survive in recognizable form - Gors Fawr, Bedd Arthur and Meini Gwyr, but a search amongst the archives and hedges has revealed three other circles, all of which have been destroyed in recent centuries.
In 1911 the Reverend Bushell wrote an article in Archaeologia Cambrensis entitled `Amongst the Precelly Circles'. In this he mentions a number of circles which have even eluded Aubrey Burl.
The first site, known as Eithbed or the `Gorse Grave' (GR: SN079286) was located in the Parish of Maenclochog. In 1911 Bushell wrote `There were at Eithbed until very recently three circles; and probably three cromlechs also were associated with them. They are now no more.' The largest circle, described as being no less than 150ft in diameter was marked on early editions of the OS Map, but had been removed by 1908. Although according to Bushell it was still traceable on the ground. Suggestions have been made that this was perhaps a henge (Figgis, Prehistorc Preseli 2001). Two other circles had also once stood a little to the south-west, one of which was destroyed in 1905 and the other of which was broken up in 1909 `to build an ugly house which stands close by'. Also within the complex were three cromlechs arranged in a line to the north-west of the smaller circles.
On a recent visit we were able to locate the remains of the cromlechs which now form part of a field boundary, providing a shelter for the local cows (see picture in the eGallery). All traces of the circles had disappeared but there were several stones along one side of the neighbouring field which looked as if they may have come from one of them.
The second site lies in Glynsaithmaen or `Glen of the Seven Stones' (GR: SN115305). There are several surviving standing stones in the area including the two fine monoliths known as The Stones of the Sons of Arthur, but according to Bushell in a field close to the farm there once stood two stone circles, linked by an avenue. A photograph taken in 1911 (see picture in the eGallery) shows part of one of these circles, which now look as if they have been cleared to the edge of the field (see picture in the eGallery).
The third site, long since destroyed, formed part of the extensive prehistoric complex at Glandy Cross, the most famous site of which is the embanked stone circle of Meini Gwyr. Several fields along, in the same field as the standing stones of Yr Allor (GR: SN139266), believed to be the remains of a cove, there once also stood another circle. In the opposite corner of the field to the Yr Allor stones are several large boulders showing signs of plough damage, which look as if they have been buried for some time and then cleared. Could these be the remains of the lost circle?
We will probably never know whether any of these stones lying in the hedgerows around the Preseli region were once part of the circles, but it would be nice to think that they haven't disappeared completely.
Note: Megalithic Portal exclusive: Original research by Vicky and Paul Morgan on Pembrokeshire circles, some not listed by Aubrey Burl.
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Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
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