The Old Stones by Andy Burnham

Author:Andy Burnham
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Watkins Media

A fantastic slab of local sandstone and one of the tallest standing stones in Wales at 4.3m (14ft) high. It is mentioned as a Gower boundary marker in a 13th-century charter of King John. It is said to bathe in the River Neath on Easter Morning.

PARC-LE-BREOS Alt Name: Parc Cwm

Chambered Long Cairn | Nearest Village: Parkmill | Map: SS 5373 8984

Sheets: E164 L159 | Lat: 51.58837N | Long: 4.11277W

A fine example of a Cotswold-Severn transepted chambered tomb, excavated in 1869 and 1960–61, after which it was restored. The name comes from the medieval deer park in which it is situated. The 22m (72ft) cairn is aligned north–south, and the forecourt, with its neat dry-stone walling, leads to a passage built of limestone slabs interspersed with more dry-stone walling. The passage has two pairs of chambers. It’s estimated the remains of around 40 people were interred here, and it seems likely that the bodies, or some of them, may have lain elsewhere before being placed in the tomb. Animal bones were also found, including some more recent ones but also others dating to the Ice Age, which were perhaps collected accidentally or deliberately from Cat Hole Cave (see below).

Nearby | Caves near Parc-le-breos include Cat Hole Cave, 184m (604ft) NNE at SS 5377 9002, where evidence of human occupation spanning at least 30,000 years has been found. It’s best known for its Palaeolithic finds, including the discovery in 2010 of an engraving, possibly of a reindeer, from 12,500–14,500 years ago. Creswell Crags (see page 145) is the only other British site where art from this period has been found. Recent vandalism means the cave is no longer accessible to the public. It is thought the cave may have been used to expose bodies before they were interred at Parc-le-breos. At SS 5316 8812, 1.8km (just over 1 mile) SSW of Park-le-breos chambered tomb, is Penmaen Burrows, also known as Pen-y-crug. This badly damaged chambered tomb, with a displaced capstone, two chambers and a passage, is not easy to find, especially in summer when it’s very overgrown.

MAEN CETI Alt Name: Arthur’s Stone

Chambered Tomb | Nearest Village: Reynoldston

Map: SS 4914 9055 | Sheets: E164 L159 | Lat: 51.59354N | Long: 4.17928W

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