Uplands Initiative Plynlimon Glaslyn - Royal Commission on the ...

<strong>Uplands</strong> <strong>Initiative</strong> 

<strong>Plynlimon</strong> <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) 

Archaeological Survey (Part One) 

Report by: Trysor 

For: The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> on Ancient 

and Historical Monuments (Wales) 

February 2007

<strong>Uplands</strong> <strong>Initiative</strong> 

<strong>Plynlimon</strong> <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) 

Archaeological Survey 

(Part One) 

By 

Jenny Hall MIFA & Paul Sambrook 

Trysor 

Trysor Project No. 2007/81 

For: The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> on Ancient 

and Historical Monuments (Wales) 

<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> Ref. No. RCS 1/2/57 

February 2007 

Cover photograph: Bugeilyn lake, with Pumlumon in the distance, looking westwards from 

Banc Bugeilyn.

CONTENTS 

PART 1 

1.1 Crynodeb 1 

1.2. Summary 2 

1.3 Introduction 3 

Extent of area covered in km 2 

Previous Fieldwork 

Methodology 

2.1 Analysis of Sites recorded in the Survey area 7 

Number of sites 

Summary of sites by Broad Class 

Summary of sites by Period 

Summary of sites by Type 

Summary of sites by Altitude 

Significant new sites 

2.2 Value of AP mapping to the field project 17 

3.1 <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (South): History and Archaeology 19 

Characteristics and comparisons 

3.2 Prehistory 22 

Early Prehistory 

Bronze Age monuments 

Significance of the prehistoric archaeology 

3.3 Medieval and Post Medieval Settlements 33 

Upland Farmsteads 

Deserted Rural Settlements 

Significance of Post Medieval settlement 

3.4 Post Medieval Industries 44 

Metal Mining 

Peat Cutting 

Water Supply 

Significance of the Industrial sites 

4.1 Conclusions 51 

5.1 Sources 52 

6.1 Recommendations 55 

Detailed site analysis and buildings survey 

Sites for pollen analysis and other environmental sampling 

Sites for inclusion on Ordnance Survey mapping

Appendix A – Site Type Summary 58 

Appendix B – Period Summary 68 

Appendix C – Contour Summary 76 

Appendix D - <strong>Uplands</strong> <strong>Initiative</strong> Air Photo Mapping <strong>Plynlimon</strong> (NW) 82 

Figures 

Figure 1: Location of Study area 

Figure 2: Study area showing areas not covered by transects 

Figure 3: Distribution of sites by Broad Class 

Figure 4: Distribution of sites by Period 

Figure 5: Distribution of sites by Altitude 

Figure 6: Features plotted by the RCAHMW from aerial photographs 

Figure 7: Prehistoric funerary and ritual sites 

Figure 8: Other prehistoric sites 

Figure 9: Farmsteads, longhouses and long huts 

Figure 10: Metal mines and mining features 

Figure 11: Areas thought suitable for palaeo-environmental sampling 

Tables 

Table 1: Broad Class 

Table 2: Sites by Period 

Table 3: Sites by Type 

Table 4: Sites by contour band 

Table 5: Bronze Age funerary monuments 

Table 6: Discounted and doubtful Bronze Age sites 

Table 7: Bronze Age settlement sites 

Table 8: Prehistoric flints from the Bugeilyn area 

Table 9: Funerary cairns in <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) recorded in NMR before 2006 

Table 10: Additional funerary cairns in <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) recorded in NMR in 2006. 

Table 11: Longhouses, Long Huts and Platforms (non-industrial) 

Table 12: Minor structures 

Table 13: Sheep Folds 

Table 14: Metal mines 

PART 2 (bound separately) 

Location maps 

Site gazetteer

<strong>Uplands</strong> <strong>Initiative</strong> – <strong>Plynlimon</strong> <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) 2006 

1.1 Crynodeb 

Cyflawnwyd arolwg archaeolegol yn ardal “<strong>Plynlimon</strong> <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S)” gan gwmni Trysor yn 

ystod haf a hydref 2006, gyda chymorth ariannol allan o brosiect Menter yr Uwchdiroedd y 

Comisiwn Brenhinol ar Henebion Cymru. Gorwedd yr ardal i’r dwyrain i’r ardal a 

arolygwyd gan Trysor yn ystod 2005, sef Pumlumon (Gogledd Ddwyrain). 

Cofnodwyd bron i 300 o safleoedd ac olion archaeolegol newydd yn y maes yn yr ardal, sy’n 

ymestyn dros 25 cilomedr sgwâr o dir sydd yn bennaf yn fynydd-dir anghysbell, anodd ei 

gyrraedd i’r gogledd a gogledd-ddwyrain mynyddoedd Pumlumon. Mae ardal yr astudiaeth 

yn cynnwys tir ar ddwy ochr y ffin rhwng siroedd Powys a Cheredigion, Ceir Hengwm yng 

nghalon yr ardal hon, dyffryn sy’n rhedeg o’r de-orllewin i’r gogledd-ddwyrain rhwng 

cronlyn Nantymoch, Ceredigion i Fugeilyn, llyn naturiol dros y ffin ym Mhowys. 

Mae’r mathau o olion archaeolegol a gofnodwyd yn adlewyrchu nifer o brif themâu a 

gysylltir gyda hanes a chynhanes ardal ehangach. Ymhlith yr olion cynharaf yw’r carneddau 

sy’n dyddio i Oes yr Efydd, gyda nifer uchel o enghreifftiau yn bresennol, wedi eu lleoli ar y 

tir uchel y ddwy ochr i ddyffryn Hengwm. Ar ben hynny, ceir tystiolaeth bellach am y 

gymuned a fu’n byw yma yn Oes yr Efydd, gyda darganfyddiadau pwysig o arteffactau 

callestr wedi eu gwneud yn y gorffennol yn ardal Bugeilyn. 

Pwysleisir pwysigrwydd dyffryn Hengwm fel bwlch trwy’r mynyddoedd yn ystod y 

cyfnod hanesyddol gan bresenoldeb nifer o hen ffermydd a lluestau (bythynnod 

bugeiliaid) ar hyd y dyffryn. Maent yn dyddio i’r cyfnodau canoloesol ac olganoloesol. 

Darganfuwyd sawl enghraifft newydd yn ystod 2006, gan brofi bod 

anheddau i’w cael ar hyd y dyffryn, fynychaf yng nghysgod cymoedd y nentydd sy’n 

llifo i mewn i Afon Hengwm. 

Gorwedd rhan uchaf dyffryn Hyddgen o fewn ardal yr astudiaeth yn ogystal. Dyma 

safle tybiedig un o frwydrau cynharaf a phwysicaf Owain Glyndŵr yn ystod ei ryfel 

dros annibyniaeth. Rhywle yn yr ardal hon llwyddodd byddin Glyndŵr drechu byddin 

Eingl-normanaidd gryfach yn ystod haf 1401. Yn ôl traddodiad yr ardal, roedd y 

frwydro wedi digwydd ar y tir gwastad, agored yn rhan uchaf dyffryn Hyddgen. Mae 

Siambr Trawsfynydd, pant cudd ar ben y dyffryn, yn gysylltiedig â thraddodiad bod 

Glyndŵr ei hun wedi treulio’r noson yn cysgodi yma cyn y frwydr. 

Ceir tystiolaeth ddigonol am ymdrechion yn y gorffennol i weithio adnoddau crai'r ardal. 

Cymharol fach yw’r dystiolaeth am dorri mawn yma, a hynny’n bennaf yn agos i’r 

anheddau sydd wedi eu cofnodi. Mae’r ardal yn agos i fwyngloddiau pwysig ardal Dylife 

ac mae’n amlwg bod mwynwyr wedi chwilio yn ddyfal yn yr ardal am fwynau cyfoethog 

tebyg. Mae rhannau gwaith mwyn yr Hyddgen a’r cyfan o waith Cafartha i’w cael o fewn 

ardal yr astudiaeth, gydag ystod dda o olion mewn cyflwr da i’w gweld ar safle Cafartha. 

Mae’r ardal fynyddig, bwysig hon yn cael ei defnyddio yn bennaf fel porfeydd haf i 

ffermydd o gwmpas Pumlumon. Erbyn hyn, mae pysgota, cerdded, seiclo a scramble 

hefyd yn tynnu mwy a mwy o bobl i mewn i’r ardal i fwynhau’r rhyddid a 

phrydferthwch y mae’n cynnig. Y gobaith yw y bydd creu cofnod cyflawn o’r olion 

archaeolegol o fewn yr ardal yn cynyddu dealltwriaeth a mwynhad o’r ardal yn y 

dyfodol, ac ar yr un pryd fod yn gymorth i ddiogelu’r olion hynny o niwed 

dianghenraid. 

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1.2 Summary 

An archaeological field survey of the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) area was undertaken by Trysor during 

the summer and autumn of 2006, grant aided as part of the RCAHMW's <strong>Uplands</strong> 

<strong>Initiative</strong> project. The area lies to the east of the Pumlumon (North West) area surveyed 

by Trysor during 2005. 

Fieldwork identified nearly 300 new archaeological sites and features in 25 km 2 of what 

is now perceived to be a remote and inaccessible area to the north and northeast of the 

<strong>Plynlimon</strong> upland massif. The area straddles the Powys/Ceredigion county boundary 

and is focused on the Hengwm valley, which runs southwest-northeast from the modern 

reservoir of Nantymoch, Ceredigion to the natural lake at Bugeilyn, Powys. 

The range of archaeological features recorded reflected several of the most important 

themes associated with the prehistory and history of the wider region. The earliest 

remains are Bronze Age funerary cairns, of which there are several well preserved 

examples within the survey area, notably positioned on the high ground overlooking the 

Hengwm valley. There is also evidence of Bronze Age settlement activity here, 

including a concentration of flint artefacts found in the vicinity of Bugeilyn lake. 

The importance of the Hengwm valley as a communication route within historic times is 

emphasised by the medieval and Post-Medieval farmsteads and shepherding cottages 

(lluestau) that are found along the valley. Several new sites have been identified during 

2006, showing that settlement sites are found along the length of the valley, chiefly in 

sheltered locations in the valleys of tributary streams which flow into the Afon 

Hengwm. 

The upper Hyddgen valley lies within the area, the possible site of an early and 

significant battle in Owain Glyndwr’s campaign to win independence. It was in this 

area that Glyndwr’s army defeated a stronger Anglo-Norman force during the summer 

of 1401. Local tradition suggests that the battle may have taken place on the flat, open 

ground in the upper part of the valley. The sheltered hollow known as Siambr 

Trawsfynydd, where Glyndwr himself is said to have sheltered before the battle lies 

within the study area. 

There is evidence for the exploitation of the natural resources of the district. Relatively 

little evidence of peat cutting is found, and such that exists is located close to known 

settlement sites. The area is close to the important Dylife lead mines, and the search for 

metal ores had also extended into these hills, with parts of the Hyddgen mine and most 

of the Cafartha mine included in the survey area, the latter possessing a number of well 

preserved mining structures and features. 

This important upland area is still chiefly used as the summer pastures for sheep from 

farms both to the north and south of the open mountain. However, fishing, walking, 

cycling and motorbiking are drawing many more people into the area to explore and 

enjoy its open spaces and beautiful landscapes. The creation of a comprehensive record 

of archaeological features within the area will hopefully enhance people’s enjoyment 

and understanding of the area in future, whilst serving to protect those features from 

avoidable damage. 

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1.3 Introduction. 

This field project and related desktop research was undertaken by Trysor during 2006, 

grant-aided by the <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> on Ancient and Historic Monuments in Wales 

(RCAHMW). 

Desktop research was undertaken during May and June 2006, and the fieldwork was 

carried out over 18 days during the period August-October, 2006. The final report was 

compiled during December 2005 and January 2006. 

The area was designated as “<strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S)” and was focused on the Hengwm valley, its 

tributary valleys and the adjacent hills to the north, south and east (see Fig. 1). The 

study area includes the natural lake at Bugeilyn, and the nearby reservoir of Llyn Cwmbyr 

at its north-eastern end. To the south of the Hengwm valley the land rises to 740m 

OD on Pen Pumlumon Arwystli, and the land either side of the valley floor generally 

rises to well over 500m OD. 

Figure 1: Location of study area 

3


1.3.1 Extent of area covered in km 2 

The extent of the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> South study area is 25km 2 . However, excluded from this total 

was the area of the Bugeilyn lakes (0.11km 2 ) and one area of forestry in the 

northwestern corner of the study area (0.23km 2 ) (see Fig.2). 

1.3.3 Previous Fieldwork 

Some archaeological fieldwork had been carried out in the survey area prior to this 

project which had informed the database records of the NMR and HERs. The earliest 

identified fieldwork was undertaken by the RCAHM prior to 1911, when a series of site 

visits were made during the preparation of the Inventory of Ancient Monuments for 

Montgomeryshire (RCAHM, 1911). 

The lead mines of the district, including the Cafartha Lead Mine had been examined by 

OT Jones (1922) and David Bick (1977). Bick in particular provides some key 

information about the management of Cafartha mine. Cafartha was included in the 

Metal Mines survey undertaken by the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) in 

1992-93, as was the Hyddgen Lead Mine complex, part of which lies within the western 

boundary of the study area. The results of this fieldwork have been incorporated into the 

Clwyd-Powys Regional Historical Environment Record. 

In 1997-98 and 2001-2, CPAT carried out a survey of the Bronze Age monuments of 

the part of the study area that lies within Powys as part of the Cadw grant-aided 

Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Monuments Project (CPAT, 1998 & CPAT, 2002). 

Cambria Archaeology (Dyfed Archaeological Trust – DAT) carried out survey of the 

Bronze Age monuments on the Ceredigion side of the border for the same Cadw project 

during 2004-05. 

With regard to the general archaeology of the area, the CPAT have carried out four Tir 

Gofal farm assessments in or close to the study area since 2002 (Bull, 2002a, 2002b & 

2004; Phipps, 2004), which largely explained the inclusion of 44 sites within the area in 

the regional HER for Powys. 

Of particular relevance is previous work undertaken on the soils and peat deposits of the 

area, in view of the dramatic erosion of peat in several parts of the study area. An 

analysis of vegetation and soil development in upland Ceredigion by Smith & Taylor 

(1969) provide some interesting background reading. 

1.3.2 Methodology 

Desktop Research 

Digital data from the databases maintained by the NMR (RCAHMW) and the Powys 

and Ceredigion Historic Environment Records (held by CPAT, and DAT) were the 

starting point for the desktop research undertaken prior to the fieldwork. The 

information on 1st, 2 nd and 4 th edition Ordnance Survey maps was interpreted and 

records created for sites of interest within the scope of the project. The relevant parish 

tithe and estate maps held by the National Library of Wales were also consulted. 

4


Documentary records in the NMR and aerial photographs were studied. The Tir Gofal 

reports produced by CPAT in 2002 and 2004 are not available for public consultation, 

but the records created from the work were available from the regional HER. 

The results from the desktop research were entered into a Microsoft Access 2003 

database, constructed according to the guidelines given in the Revised Data Standard for 

Upland Survey. The material included in this database is reproduced in the site 

gazetteer of this report. 

Fieldwork 

Physical access to the area was aided by forest access roads, which gave good access 

from the south. These roads were used with the kind permission of the Forestry 

<strong>Commission</strong>, Coed y Gororau District, Welshpool. The public road from Ponterwyd to 

the outdoor pursuits centre at Maesnant, on the northern point of Nantymoch reservoir 

provided good access from the southwest. From the east, the private track from the 

main Machynlleth to Dylife road was used to access both <strong>Glaslyn</strong> and Bugeilyn with 

permission kindly granted by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, who currently 

manage the nature reserve and upland pastures in the area of the lakes. 

The fieldwork element of the project achieved an average coverage rate of 1.5km 2 per 

day. 30m and 50m transects were used according to the nature of the terrain (wider 

transects favoured on steeper slopes). Difficulty was encountered in a number of areas 

where dramatic erosion of the peat cover has left the landscape in a condition that 

created considerable problems with regard to undertaking a transect survey. Several 

areas of bog were also encountered which could not be crossed on foot. 

In total the areas not covered by transect walking (not including the lake and forest 

areas mentioned in 1.3.1 above) represented 1.71km 2 , or 6.78% of the total area. 

Features were recorded on pro-forma sheets derived from the database. This had a twofold 

benefit: ensuring previously recorded information was readily available in the field 

and that standard recording of features was undertaken. The pro-formas had space for 

field sketches which were made where appropriate. The pro-forma sheets have been 

deposited with the RCAHWM as part of the project archive. Digital photographs were 

taken where appropriate and these have also been included in the project archive as 

TIFF files. 

5


Figure 2: Study area showing areas not covered by transects 

6


2.1 Analysis of Sites recorded in the Survey area 

2.1.1 Number of sites 

Prior to this survey, only 16 archaeological sites were recorded within the survey area in 

the RCAHMW’s National Monuments Record database. Following the field survey 

there were a total of 293 sites recorded within the study area, representing an increase of 

1831%. 

There were also 44 and 8 sites respectively recorded in the Clwyd/Powys and 

Ceredigion Regional Historic Environment Records (HERs). 1 These sites have been reevaluated 

in the field and new NMR records created in most cases. However, some of 

the sites in the HERs could not be located, or the records were found to be erroneous, 

and these have not been included in the project database. Therefore there will not be a 

direct correlation between the NMR records and those found in the regional HERs. 

Location maps for all sites recorded by the project can be found in Part 2 of this report, 

preceding the Site Gazetteer. 

2.1.2 Summary of sites by Broad Class 

The 293 sites recorded by the project are shown categorised by their Broad Class 2 in 

Table 1 and Fig 3. 

Broad Class Number Includes 

Agriculture and Subsistence 21 Sheep Folds; Sheep Wash; Farmstead 

Commemorative 2 Memorial stone: Historical Site 

Domestic 14 Hut Circle; Cottages; Long Huts, 

Longhouses, Farmhouse 

Industrial 103 Metal Mining Features, particularly small 

prospecting features; Peat cutting 

Monument 75 Banks; Boundary Stones; Enclosures; 

Platforms; Shelters 

Religious, Ritual and Funerary 31 Cairns 

Transport 12 Trackways, Bridges, Boat House 

Unassigned 18 Marker Cairns; Stone Pile; Weather Station 

Water Supply and Drainage 17 Leats; Sluice, Water Pipes 

Table 1: Broad Class 

The predominance of Industrial features is explained by those associated with metal 

mining within the area, particularly in relation to the Cafartha mine. Monument is also an important category, but includes a wide range of features that are 

associated with the past exploitation of the landscape by landowners and pastoral 

farmers, from boundary markers to platforms and small shelters. Religious, Ritual and 

1 Maintained by the Clwyd/Powys Archaeological Trust and Cambria Archaeology (Dyfed 

Archaeological Trust) respectively. 

2 Broad Class is used as defined by English Heritage in the monuments thesaurus, 

http://thesaurus.english-heritage.org.uk 

7


Funerary monuments account for a relatively high proportion of the total also, due to the 

significant number of funerary cairns found across the study area. 

The relatively low numbers of sites in the Domestic, and Agricultural and Subsistence 

classes partly reflect the remoteness of the study area, but many of the sites classified as 

Monument are related to agricultural and settlement activity in the area. 

Figure 3: Distribution of sites by Broad Class 

8


2.1.3 Summary of sites by Period 

Fig 4 shows that most of the 293 sites recorded in the study area date to the Post- 

Medieval period. 151 sites (51%) are attributed to the Post-Medieval, and a further 44 

(15%) thought to be potentially or probably Post-Medieval. This directly relates to the 

increase in settlement, agricultural and industrial activity during the Post-Medieval 

period. The 20 sites attributed to the Modern period, or thought likely to be Modern, 

reflect recent developments in the water supply industry and agricultural developments. 

All of the 10 sites that are thought to be Medieval or possibly Medieval in date or origin 

are settlement or land management related features. 

There is significant evidence of activity dating to prehistoric periods. This includes a 

number of findspots of flint arrowheads and flakes (recorded as a single record for the 

purposes of this project as there is insufficient detail available to identify individual 

findspots). There are also 29 Bronze Age funerary and ritual sites recorded (10% of the 

total). Several more possible funerary monuments have been ascribed Bronze Age? or 

Unknown dates as they could not identified with certainty as Bronze Age monuments 

on the basis of surface evidence. Appendix B expands Table 2, giving the NPRN and 

name of the sites in each period. 

Period Number Includes 

Prehistoric 1 site Find Scatter 

Bronze Age 29 sites Funerary and Ritual Monuments 

Bronze Age? 7 sites Hut Circle Settlement 

Medieval?;Post- 10 sites Platform, Long Huts, Shelters 

Medieval 

Post-Medieval 151 sites Metal mining features; Sheep folds; Peat Cuttings; 

Trackways; 

Post-Medieval? 31 sites Shelters; Marker Cairns; DRS; Enclosures 

Post- 

13 sites Shelters; Marker Cairns 

Medieval?;Modern? 

Modern 20 sites Sheep Folds, Weather Station; Boat House, Water 

management features, Bridges; Plantation 

General 4 sites Natural Features 

Unknown 28 sites Stone piles and spreads; Mounds, Platforms, Banks, 

Walls 

Table 2: Sites by Period 

9


Figure 4 – Distribution of sites by Period 

10


2.1.4 Summary of sites found by type 

Table 3 shows the range and numbers of site types recorded by the project. A fuller 

breakdown of this information is found in Appendix A and detailed site descriptions are 

included in the Site Gazetteer in Part 2. Figs 7, 8, 9 & 13 also map the distribution of 

the most significant site types. 

ADIT 1 

AQUEDUCT 1 

BALANCE PIT 1 

BANK (EARTHWORK) 5 

BOAT HOUSE 1 

BOUNDARY STONE 7 

BRIDGE 3 

BUILDING 1 

BUILDING PLATFORM 1 

BUILDING? 1 

CAIRN 26 

CAIRN CEMETERY 3 

CAIRN? 2 

CAUSEWAY? 1 

CIRCULAR FEATURE 1 

COMMEMORATIVE MONUMENT 1 

COTTAGE 4 

CULVERT 1 

DAM 2 

DESERTED RURAL SETTEMENT 1 

EARTHWORK 2 

ENCLOSURE 7 

ENCLOSURE?;WALL?;FOLD? 1 

ENGINE HOUSE 1 

FARMHOUSE 1 

FARMSTEAD 1 

FIELD 1 

FIELD SYSTEM 1 

FIND SCATTER 1 

FOOTBRIDGE 1 

FORD 1 

GRAVEL PIT? 2 

HISTORICAL SITE 1 

HORSE WHIM 1 

HUT CIRCLE SETTLEMENT 1 

HUT CIRCLE? 1 

LAKE 1 

LAUNDER 1 

LEAD MINE 2 

LEAT 5 

LEVEL 5 

LONG HUT 1 

LONG HUT? 3 

LONGHOUSE 1 

MARKER CAIRN 10 

MARKER POST 2 

MINE BUILDING 1 

MINE BUILDING? 1 

MINING FEATURE 1 

MOUND 4 

NATURAL FEATURE 1 

PEAT CUTTING 10 

PEAT CUTTING? 2 

PEAT WORKINGS 2 

PEAT WORKINGS? 1 

PIGSTY 1 

PLANTATION 1 

PLATFORM 12 

PLATFORM? 4 

PLATFORM?;LONG HUT? 1 

PLATFORM?;TERRACE? 1 

POND 1 

QUARRY 6 

RESERVOIR 1 

ROUND BARROW? 1 

SETTLING PIT 3 

SHAFT 4 

SHEEP FOLD 9 

SHEEP FOLD? 3 

SHEEP FOLD?;ENCLOSURE 1 

SHEEP WASH 2 

SHEEP WASH? 1 

SHELTER 12 

SHELTER? 2 

SHELTER?;LONG HUT? 2 

SLUICE 3 

SPOIL TIP 9 

STONE 2 

STONE PILE 5 

STONE SPREAD 1 

STRUCTURE 1 

STRUCTURE?;WALL? 1 

TRACKWAY 4 

TRACKWAY? 1 

TRAMWAY? 1 

TRANSMISSION RODS 1 

TRIAL MINE 40 

TRIAL MINE? 3 

TRIAL MINE?;QUARRY? 1 

WALL 5 

WATER PIPE 2 

WEATHER STATION 1 

WHEEL PIT 2 

Table 3: Sites by Type 

11


2.1.5 Summary of sites by Altitude 

Table 4 shows the number of sites per 50m contour band, the amount of land in each 

50m band and the density of sites per square kilometre. Figure 5 shows the distribution 

of sites over the 50m contour bands. 

Of the 8 contour bands, the 2 of highest altitude are less that 0.5km 2 in area and cannot 

be relied upon to present meaningful statistical information. 

62% of the study area falls between the 450m and 549m contours (15.45km 2 ) and 

therefore it is unsurprising to see that 169 of the 293 sites recorded fall into this band. 

Closer scrutiny shows that 210 sites (72% of the total) fall into the 3 lowest contour 

bands, from 350m to 499m, and that the number of sites declines above 500m. This is 

unsurprising considering the nature of the Pumlumon massif, with the higher slopes 

well in excess of the 500m contour and above an altitude where a sharp decline in site 

density and variety is experienced in most upland areas of Wales. Bronze Age funerary 

and ritual monuments therefore become the predominant site type in the higher reaches 

of the area. 

The majority of the settlement sites of the study area are focused on the Hengwm valley 

and its tributaries, undoubtedly for reasons of ease of access, relative flatness of the 

landscape, and shelter. 

Appendix C provides details of site by NPRN, Name and contour band. 

Contour band 

Number of 

sites 

Sq km Sites per sq 

km 

350m to 399m 13 0.2688 48.36 

400m to 449m 48 3.2079 14.96 

450m to 499m 149 7.4070 20.11 

500m to 549m 20 8.0533 2.48 

550m to 599m 18 3.3429 5.38 

600m to 649m 29 2.1890 13.25 

650m to 699m 2 0.4158 4.81 

700m to 749m 14 0.1791 78.17 

Total 293 25.0638 

Table 4: Sites by contour band 

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Figure 5 – Distribution of sites by Altitude 

13


2.1.6 Significant new sites 

Some of the most significant new records created by the project arose through the 

reinterpretation or more detailed examination of known sites. This is particularly true 

of several of the mine complexes within the area, and also of the prehistoric funerary 

monuments. There are important observations that also need to be made in relation to 

palaeoenvironmental aspects of the area’s history and landscape. 

Palaeoenvironmental features 

It is important to record that a significant proportion of the study area is characterised 

by badly eroding peat deposits, which in places are seen to be up to 2m thick. The 

erosion has evidently been taking place for a considerable time and it is evident that in 

some areas the peat has been completely lost. It is not known whether or not human 

activity, particularly peat cutting, have in any way led to this situation, but the current 

condition of much of the peat cover does provide countless opportunities to examine the 

thickness of the peat, the ancient land surface exposed beneath the peat, the vegetation 

that has formed the peat and also provides the possibility that artefacts or archaeological 

features that pre-date the peat might become exposed. The potential for identifying such 

features hidden within or beneath blanket peats was proven by Briggs & Murphy in 

1984, when they examined the drained Nantymoch reservoir. There, it was found that 

areas of submerged peat had been eroded by water action, exposing prehistoric cairns 

and also scatters of flint waste or tools. It is worth noting that over 100 of Bronze Age 

flint arrowheads and flint flakes have previously been found on Banc Bugeilyn and in 

the area of Bugeilyn lake, collected in areas where there has been severe erosion of the 

peat cover. These are now held in various collections, but mostly by the National 

Museum of Wales. 

Although there have been no new discoveries of such artefacts during 2006, one small 

cairn was recorded near Carn Biga (NPRN 289625) that was only visible due to the 

erosion of a patch of peat that would have overlain it. It was also noted that, despite 

crossing many hundreds of erosion channels and areas of dissected peat during field 

walking, only in one location, on the high ground to the south of Bugeilyn, was 

evidence of a tree found within the peat. Here, the roots and lower trunk of a small tree 

were seen to be encased in the peat. This would appear to suggest that there was in fact 

very little woodland on the mountains between Bugeilyn and Pumlumon when the peat 

began to form. 

Funerary monuments 

Perhaps the most significant development during fieldwork was the identification of a 

relatively high number of new cairns and associated features that have implications for 

the understanding of the Bronze Age funerary monuments in the district. Prior to 

fieldwork, prominent cairns or cairn groups such as those at Pumlumon Arwystli 

(NPRN 289789), Carn Gwilym (NPRN 303704), Carn Biga (NPRN 289790) and Carn 

Fawr (NPRN 304888) were already known through the NMR or regional HERs. These 

sites had also been subject to recent evaluation by the Cadw grant-aided Funerary and 

Ritual Monuments Projects for Powys and Ceredigion. Nevertheless, re-examination of 

these cairn groups in 2006 has shown that smaller cairns or stone settings are found in 

close proximity to several of the larger cairns. In some instances, these features have 

been noted by previous workers, but often not. There is a clear need to undertake future 

evaluation of the purpose and significance of these features, as it is possible that they 

14


represent satellite burials or other activity directly related to the use of the main cairns 

or cairn groups. 

It should also be noted that several new cairns, probably funerary monuments, were 

identified during 2006. In each case the cairns are relatively small in comparison with 

the major cairns of the area, but they nevertheless radically alter the distribution pattern 

of funerary monuments within the study area (see Fig.7). Perhaps the best examples of 

these are a small cairn (NPRN 289719) at the southern tip of Banc Lluest Newydd, 

overlooking the Hengwm valley and two small cairns overlooking the Hengwm from 

the south, between Carn Fawr and Bugeilyn (NPRNs 289756 & 289591). These new 

finds appear to greatly emphasise the probable importance of the Hengwm valley as a 

focus for Bronze Age activity. 

Post-Medieval settlement sites 

The Hengwm valley is known to have been settled until the first half of the 20 th century, 

and the ruins of former upland farmsteads can still be seen between Nantymoch and 

Bugeilyn, although most of these are located outside the 2006 study area. Part of the 

valley was included on Lewis Morris’ map of the Manor of Perfedd, drawn in 1744. 

These included a number of shepherding cottages or lluestau, many good examples of 

which can still be seen, mostly now in a ruinous condition, along the Rheidol valley to 

the southwest of the study area. Only one of the lluestau identified by Lewis Morris 

stood within the 2006 study area, namely that of Lluest Gelligogau (NPRN 289729). 

Otherwise there were only a small number of deserted settlements known within the 

area. The fieldwork carried out during 2006 has however identified several new 

settlement sites, along the northern side of Hengwm valley in particular, that show 

settlement has occurred along its entire length in the past, from Nantymoch to Bugeilyn. 

The most significant new discovery was undoubtedly that of a cluster of long huts at 

Nant Cerrigaledion (NPRNs 289713, 289715 & 289716). These are found in an area 

greatly obscured by bracken, even when visited in November 2006, but which arguably 

have the characteristics of a possible medieval hafod, rather than a Post-Medieval lluest. 

The site includes 3 longhuts and several associated features. Whereas the lluestau are 

usually sheltered on valley floors or in small tributary valleys, this cluster of longhuts is 

situated on a relatively exposed, southwest-facing slope. It is unlikely that such a 

position would have been occupied throughout the winter months and hence seasonal 

activity must be suspected. 

Nearby, the small stream of Nant Lluest-fach was proven to be the site of a much 

eroded and long lost lluest site (NPRN 289643), with the settlement found to be located 

on a dry spur of land close to the confluence of the stream and the Afon Hengwm. 

One further interesting settlement site that was discovered was a well-preserved long 

hut in a sheltered position close to the eastern shore of Bugeilyn lake. The long hut 

appears to be associated with some enclosure of the adjacent land. 

Metal Mines 

Although the study area lies between the Montgomeryshire and Ceredigion metal 

mining districts, there is relatively little evidence of metal mining recorded. The site of 

the Cafartha Lead Works, east of Bugeilyn lake is the only significant mining complex 

15


in the area. Cafartha was a failure as a business venture, but fieldwork in 2006 has 

shown that a large number of interesting and significant features remain, many of which 

have been recorded for the first time. The core of the mine still has open shafts, spoil 

tips, fragmentary buildings and two well-preserved wheelpits. There are also traces of 

several leats that fed the mine, a former flat-rod gully and the foundations of the posts 

that once held up a wooden launder that fed the wheelpit at the crusher house (which 

has itself now been converted into a modern farm building). 

The recording of such features greatly enhances our understanding of the complex and 

increases its value as an historical site, but perhaps the most interesting and unexpected 

discovery was the recording of over 30 trial workings in the locality. Although Cafartha 

was a failure, it was not for lack of effort. It is said that some £70,000 was invested in 

preparing the surface and underground of the mine for production and prospecting for 

ore in the area. Despite this, no ore of significance was found and the venture failed. 

Therefore the numerous trial trenches on adjacent slopes, especially in the direction of 

Bugeilyn, may well be evidence of this great, but futile investment of capital, probably 

built on the hope that the rich ores found around Dylife would also be encountered here. 

Amongst the workings newly recorded is a small complex (NPRN 289655 – 289660) 

comprising two levels, a possible trial shaft, spoil tips and more trial cuts approximately 

1.5km west of Cafartha, on the western side of Bugeilyn. It is not known if this small, 

undated mining site is associated with the search for ores undertaken by Cafartha, but it 

marks yet another location where the search for riches spread westward and northward 

from Dylife into the Pumlumon massif. 

Plate 1: Cairn NPRN 289719 at the southern tip of Banc Lluest Newydd, looking west. 

16


2.2 Value of AP mapping to the field project 

The RCAHMW supplied interpretation of aerial photographs as digital files, referred to 

as AP mapping in this document. Each of these was investigated in the field, see fig 6. 

72 separate records were supplied with the AP mapping. Only 7 of these sites were 

found to be identifiable archaeological features on the ground. This low success rate 

can be explained by the fact that such significant portions of the study area are covered 

in blanket bog, much of it now suffering marked erosion. This fact alone led to the 

identification of 64 “peat cuttings”. Only 2 of these proved to be identifiable as peat 

cuttings, and a further 2 as possible peat cuttings. The other 60 were all clearly areas of 

peat erosion, presumed to be the result of natural processes. The remainder of the sites 

confirmed to exist in the field included quarries, a mining feature, a modern sluice, a 

trackway and a bank. 

Overall, the AP mapping proved of little benefit during fieldwork. However, the low 

success rate largely reflects the truly remote and largely undisturbed nature of most of 

the study area. There is no obvious evidence of cultivation, very few roads or 

trackways and only limited evidence for peat cutting and other industrial activity. The 

badly eroded surface and large areas of wet blanket bog in many areas also makes aerial 

photographs difficult to interpret. 

Plate 2: Natural erosion has produced peat haggs in many parts of the study area. This is the area to 

the east of Carn Biga. 

17


Figure 6: Features plotted by the RCAHMW from aerial photographs 

18


3.1 <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) History and Archaeology 

3.1.1 Characteristics and comparisons 

The study area is probably one of the most remote and undisturbed areas of mid-Wales. 

From the centre of the Hengwm valley, at the heart of the area, the closest permanently 

occupied dwelling is over 4km to the north and no occupied dwellings are found within 

5km in any other direction. The sense of remoteness and low rate of human activity in 

the area is to some extent a modern phenomenon, as the archaeological record indicates 

that in historic and prehistoric times human communities have indeed established a 

presence here. However, at no time does the area appear to have become populated to 

any significant degree. 

The <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) study area shares many of the physical characteristics of adjacent 

upland areas within Ceredigion and Powys, most obviously with regard to those 

characteristics associated with modern land use. The dominant industry at present is 

agriculture, with the pastures almost exclusively used for rearing sheep. Most of the 

land within the study area is used as rough upland grazing, with only small areas of 

improved pasture encountered. In some locations, rich heather pasture is present, with 

much of the land west of <strong>Glaslyn</strong> lake and across to Bugeilyn now managed by the 

Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve, whilst a significant part of the 

study area is also now protected as a SSSI (19.54km 2 or 78% of the total area). 

The archaeology of this uninhabited and treeless upland block gives important insights 

into the varied activities of human communities interacting with the landscape over a 

period of at least 4000 years. The range of archaeological site types present compares 

closely to that found in adjacent areas, including evidence of; 

• Bronze Age settlement and/or hunting grounds 

• Bronze Age funerary monuments 

• Medieval and Post-Medieval settlement 

• Post-Medieval and modern industrial activity encompassing 

o metal mining 

o peat cutting 

o water management. 

A number of modern archaeological fieldwork and desktop research projects have been 

carried out in close proximity to the study area. These allow us to make some general 

comparisons between <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) and neighbouring areas, and put the study area into 

context. 

<strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) is adjacent to two other blocks covered by fieldwork undertaken for the 

RCAHMWs <strong>Uplands</strong> <strong>Initiative</strong>. These are the <strong>Plynlimon</strong> (NW) study area, to the west, 

and the Nant y Moch & Pumlimon Fawr study area, to the south and southwest. The 

former was surveyed by Trysor during 2005 (Trysor, 2006) and the latter by Cambrian 

Archaeological Projects in 2004 (CAP, 2005). The three study areas collectively cover 

most of the Pumlumon massif, an area which shows a high degree of coherence in terms 

of the range of landscapes and archaeological features encountered, although there are 

some marked localised variations. 

19


As with Nant y Moch & Pumlimon Fawr and <strong>Plynlimon</strong> (NW), the main types of 

archaeological evidence recorded in <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) were related to Bronze Age funerary 

and ritual monuments and later settlement related to pastoral agricultural activity. There 

is noticeably less evidence of both metal mining and peat cutting, a combination 

perhaps of the result of unsuitable geology and increased difficulties of accessing the 

heart of the Pumlumon massif due to its comparative remoteness. As mentioned above, 

<strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) has no occupied farms or cottages, the nearest of which lie over 4km 

northwards from the centre of the study area. Across the area of the Pumlumon uplands, 

the small number of upland farms that once existed became deserted during the first part 

of the 20th century and <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) is no exception. Only one farmstead stood within 

the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) boundary, namely Bugeilyn farm, which was occupied into the 20th 

century but has long been abandoned and is now a shattered ruin, although a modern 

shed at the site is still used by the landowners. 

With the exception of the very northwest part of the study area around Mawnog it is 

wholly included in the Pumlumon Historic Landscape Character Area, as defined by the 

the Dyfed Archaeological Trust. This work was undertaken as part of the Cadw project 

to characterise the landscape areas defined in the Register of Landscapes of Historic 

Interest in Wales (ICOMOS/Cadw 2001). Upland Ceredigion was designated as HLW 

(D) 2. 

The evidence provided for the Pumlumon HLC area has been characterised in 

archaeological terms by deserted settlements, metal mines and Bronze Age funerary and 

ritual monuments. This shows that the archaeology of <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) is comparable in 

most respects to other upland areas of Ceredigion and Powys. The Upland Ceredigion 

HLC descriptions show that the Nantymoch Historic Landscape area, to the southwest, 

includes a range of site types that are similar to <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) such as Bronze Age 

funerary and ritual monuments and the remains of metal mines and deserted rural 

settlements. Likewise, the archaeology of the Esgair Fraith HLC area to the west 

comprises of a range of old metal mines and deserted settlement sites. 

A small part of the study area to the southeast also falls within the area covered by the 

Cadw-funded Historical Landscape Characterisation (HLC) exercise carried out in the 

Clywedog Valley by the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust. No relevant details of the 

characterisation are available on the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trusts’s website, 

www.cpat.org.uk. 

Previous fieldwork and desktop research carried out by the authors of this report in 

areas to the south of <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) , particularly in the Mynydd y Ffynnon study area, 

between the Castell and Ystwyth valleys (Sambrook & Darke, 1997; Sambrook & 

Hankinson, 1998), and the <strong>Plynlimon</strong> (NW) area surveyed in 2005, strengthen the belief 

that the range and character of archaeological features recorded in <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) 

essentially conform with that of adjacent areas. 

20


Two views within the study area. 

Plate 3: (Top) The Upper Hengwm Valley, looking eastwards. 

Plate 4 (Bottom) Natural pools and peat haggs on Bryn Cras, near the source of 

the Hafren. 

21


3.2 Prehistory 

3.2.1 Early Prehistory 

A number of significant finds of flint tools have been recorded in the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) study area, 

and neighbouring areas, during the 20 th century. These discoveries would appear to confirm 

a human presence in the area since Mesolithic times and may reinforce the importance of 

the Hengwm valley as a communications route throughout history and prehistory. 

It is known from previous work in adjacent areas that there is potential for evidence for 

earlier prehistoric activity surviving beneath the blanket peats that cover large parts of 

the study area. Briggs & Murphy (1984) identified early prehistoric flint scatters in 

areas that had been stripped of their peat cover by the water action of the Nantymoch 

reservoir, which occupies the floor of the upper Rheidol valley. This makes it possible 

that similar artefacts might be present on the valley floor of the Hengwm valley, which 

is an important tributary valley of the Rheidol. 

Other discoveries on higher ground show that prehistoric activity was not confined to 

the valley floor. A flint core found at Y Foel (CPAT PRN19398), in the hills close to 

the southern edge of the study area has been ascribed a Mesolithic date. This find 

concurs with the long-held belief that in early prehistoric times the Pumlumon massif 

was exploited as a hunting ground for human communities based further towards the 

Cardigan Bay coastline. Several flint arrowheads of postulated late Neolithic or early 

Bronze Age date were also reportedly found in 1968, to the west of the Bronze Age 

cairns on Pen Pumlumon Arwystli, close to the 700m contour (recorded by Cambrian 

Archaeological Projects - NPRN284072). 

Plate 5: Cairn NPRN 289720. The southernmost of two impressive stone pillars built on the Carn Gwilym 

cairns. In the distance, Nantymoch reservoir is to the right,. 

22


3.2.2 Bronze Age monuments (see Fig. 7) 

Evidence of prehistoric activity within the study area includes 29 Bronze Age funerary 

cairns, several of which were unrecorded before 2006 (see Table 5). 

A further 12 sites (see Table 6 & 7) included; 

• mounds or cairns thought not to be Bronze Age funerary monuments 

• a possible Bronze age settlement site including a hut circle and ancillary features 

NPRN NGR Name Site Type 

289590 SN8182090545 Carn Fawr Cairn III Cairn 

289591 SN8186590580 Carn Fawr Cairn II Cairn 

289620 SN8297590045 <strong>Plynlimon</strong> Cwm-Biga Cairn I Cairn 

289621 SN8295290040 <strong>Plynlimon</strong> Cwm-Biga Cairn II Cairn 

289622 SN8305089958 Carn Biga Cairn III Cairn 

289624 SN8304689938 Carn Biga Cairn V Cairn 

289625 SN8311589759 Carn Biga Cairn IV Cairn 

289638 SN8150587751 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn IV Cairn 

289641 SN8153587783 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn VI Cairn 

289663 SN8194189417 Bryn Cras Cairn III Cairn 

289666 SN8027891195 Foel Uchaf Cairn Cairn 

289710 SN8098991633 Foel Isaf Cairn Cairn 

289719 SN7931289967 Banc Lluest Newydd Cairn Cairn 

289720 SN7923790835 Carn Gwilym Cairn I Cairn 

289722 SN7924390834 Carn Gwilym Cairn III Cairn 

289723 SN7924290852 Carn Gwilym Cairn II Cairn 

289726 SN7924290848 Carn Gwilym Cairn IV Cairn 

289756 SN8234191031 Hengwm Cairn Cairn 

289784 SN8263290375 Carn Fach Bugeilyn Cairn 

304829 SN8149087750 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn I Cairn 

304830 SN8152487780 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn II Cairn 

304831 SN8156787826 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn III Cairn 

304836 SN8302889915 Carn Biga Cairn I Cairn 

304837 SN8304589947 Carn Biga Cairn II Cairn 

304888 SN8181090530 Carn Fawr Cairn I Cairn 

304889 SN8263190380 Carnfachbugeilyn;Carn Fach Bugeilyn 

Cairn 

289789 SN8154087796 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn 

Cemetery 

289790 SN8302889960 Carn Biga Cairn 

Cemetery 

303704 SN7923290838 Carn Gwilym Cairn 

Cemetery 

Table 5: Bronze Age funerary monuments 

23


There are a number of other cairns and stone piles scattered across the study area, which 

were thought not to represent funerary monuments. However, it cannot be discounted 

that some may overlay Bronze Age burials. 

NPRN NGR Name Type 

289618 SN8387591236 Esgair Greolen Round Barrow? 

289642 SN8153387776 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn V Cairn? 

289551 SN8268593043 Cerrig Brithion Cairn Stone Pile 

289629 SN8187390064 Blaen Hafren Cairn III Stone Pile 

289639 SN8150487765 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Stone Spread Stone Spread 

289674 SN7897490971 Nant y Garn Cairn Cairn? 

289774 SN80748968 Bryn Cras Natural Feature 

Table 6: Discounted and doubtful Bronze Age sites 

3.2.3 Bronze Age settlement (see Fig. 8) 

Evidence of prehistoric settlement is rarely identified in the mid-Wales uplands. This is 

despite the fact that Bronze Age metal mining sites are known either side of the 

Ceredigion/Powys border, such as at Cwmystwyth to the south, around Alltycrib, 

Talybont to the west and at Nantyreira, to the east. The presence of Bronze Age 

funerary monuments across the area, and a concentration of finds of probable Bronze 

Age flint arrowheads in the vicinity of Bugeilyn, add to the suspicion that a Bronze Age 

population must have been settled within or close to the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) study area. A single 

and rare example of a possible Bronze Age settlement site has been recorded within the 

area, near Foel Isaf (NPRN 275967). 

NPRN NGR Name Type 

275967 SN8087091159 Hut Circle Settlement Below Foel Hut Circle Settlement 

Isaf 

289701 SN8089491142 Foel Isaf Enclosure I Enclosure 

289702 SN8086091150 Foel Isaf Circular Structure Hut Circle? 

289703 SN8086891183 Foel Isaf Wall Wall 

289704 SN8084891167 Foel Isaf Enclosure II Enclosure?;Wall?;Fold? 

Table 7: Bronze Age settlement sites 

24


Figure 7: Prehistoric funerary and ritual sites 

25


Figure 8: Other prehistoric sites 

26


3.2.4 Significance of the prehistoric archaeology 

The quantity and range of archaeological features and artefacts of prehistoric, primarily 

Bronze Age, date in <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) is of some significance. It must also be remembered 

that the blanket peats that obscure large parts of the landscape may also mask other 

evidence and that future discoveries are quite possible due to the severe erosion of the 

peat in some areas. 

A striking aspect of the evidence for prehistoric activity is the concentration of sites 

along the Hengwm valley between Nantymoch reservoir and Bugeilyn lake. Most of the 

funerary cairns stand on the high ground either side of the valley, usually overlooking it, 

whilst the finds of flint artefacts seems to originate mostly from the area around 

Bugeilyn. 

Flint artefacts 

Discoveries of flints artefacts are relatively sparse along the Cambrian mountain range, 

but present in sufficient numbers to demonstrate that the mountains must have been 

frequented by prehistoric hunters, if only on a transitory basis. The concentration of 

finds within the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) study area makes this one of the most important known foci 

of prehistoric activity in the wider region. 

Over 250 flint arrowheads or flakes are recorded as having been found here. 

Unfortunately, few of the find spots have been recorded in detail, and it would seem that 

virtually all have been casual finds, collected over a period extending from the 1910s 

until the 1980s. The Index to Archaeologia Cambrensis, 1901-1980 lists 6 articles 

relating to flint arrowheads being found at “Bugeilyn Farm”, which indicates that many 

of the finds have come from the area around Bugeilyn lake (Howell, 1917; Peate, 

1925a, 1925b, 1928 & 1930; Davies, 1935). 

The CPAT Lithics project, grant-aided by Cadw in 2002, was able to create a list of the 

finds originating from within the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) study area. The CPAT record (CPAT 

PRN1374) is indexed as “Banc Bugeilyn Finds”, indicating that many of the flints were 

found on the hill immediately to the east of Bugeilyn lake. Analysis of the original 

sources shows that this does not accurately reflect the true locations of the findspots, 

however. The six reports made to Archaeologia Cambrensis between 1917 and 1935 

record finds of arrowheads being made in two general areas; around a “mountain 

stream” in the vicinity of Bugeilyn and on the open mountain ground between Bugeilyn 

and Pumlumon. There is also mention of flint waste being found on the shores of 

Bugeilyn lake itself. It is not possible to locate any of the findspots with certainty on the 

basis of this evidence. 

The finds appear to have been placed in various collections, most notably the National 

Museum of Wales, but also Welshpool Museum and Aberystwyth University College 

Museum. The records of these institutions help assess the character of the artefacts, and 

give some indication of their dates. 

The list of finds is worth reproducing as it demonstrates the numbers and types of flints 

discovered in the area; 

27


Number Type Period Held by 

57 Barbed and tanged flint arrowheads Prehistoric NMW 

1? Flint arrowhead Prehistoric NMW 

1 Fragmentary barbed and tanged flint 

arrowhead 

Prehistoric Aberystwyth 

UCW Museum 

38 Barbed and tanged flint arrowheads Prehistoric Aberystwyth 

UCW Museum 

9 Barbed and tanged flint arrowheads Prehistoric NMW 

74 Worked flint flakes Prehistoric NMW 

18 Worked flint flakes Prehistoric Aberystwyth 

UCW Museum 

56 Worked flint flakes Prehistoric NMW 

1 Unworked flint flake Prehistoric NMW 

1 Stone object Prehistoric NMW 

Table 8: Prehistoric flints from the Bugeilyn area 

This lists over 250 flints, at least 105 of which are described as arrowheads. Clearly, 

this suggests that the Bugeilyn area was the focus for significant human activity in 

prehistoric times. The identification of at least 4 groups of worked flint flakes would 

suggest that flint was being worked here occasionally. Two scenarios immediately 

present themselves. It is possible that the lake itself was the focus of activity for 

transient hunters, perhaps as early as the Mesolithic or Neolithic periods, who prepared 

new flint tools whilst camped here. It is also likely that a permanent Bronze Age 

community was located in the area (the presence of so many Bronze Age funerary 

monuments confirms this of course) and that hunting activity was being undertaken 

around the lake and neighbouring hills. How close to Bugeilyn such a community 

might have been located is unknown, although a possible Bronze Age hut circle in the 

Hengwm valley (NPRN289702) - discussed below) and the concentration of funerary 

cairns along Hengwm would suggest that it may have been relatively close by. 

Plate 6: Bugeilyn sits in a 

sheltered hollow and has 

been a focus for human 

activity in this mountainous 

area since prehistoric times. 

This view looks northwards 

over the area of the lake, with 

Cadair Idris seen in the 

distance. 

28


Funerary monuments. 

The funerary cairns fall into two distinctive types. There are a number of examples of 

very large stone mounds, which remain prominent features in the landscape. A number 

of them appear to have been rebuilt or enhanced in Post-Medieval times, particularly the 

pair on Carn Gwilym (NPRNs 289720 & 289723), which stand as impressive columns 

of stone, over 2.5m high. It has to be suspected that these cairns were refashioned 

sometime during the 19 th century, possibly by lead miners active in the Hyddgen area or 

perhaps the employees of one of the great landowning estates. Nevertheless, these 

impressive stone columns stand on what are clearly earlier funerary cairns and may well 

protect their contents. All of the large cairns were all well known prior to 2006 and most 

have Scheduled Ancient Monument status; 

NPRN Name Diameter Height SAM SAM REF 

304829 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn I 18.0 2.2 SAM CD035 

304831 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn III 20.0 0.7 SAM CD035 

304830 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn II 18.0 2.2 SAM CD035 

304837 Carn Biga Cairn II 17.5 2.0 SAM MG110 

304836 Carn Biga Cairn I 14.0 2.5 SAM MG110 

304888 Carn Fawr Cairn I 11.0 2.0 

304889 Carnfachbugeilyn;Carn Fach Bugeilyn 9.0 0.8 SAM MG113 

289720 Carn Gwilym Cairn I 13.0 0.5 SAM MG104 

289723 Carn Gwilym Cairn II 14.0 0.6 SAM MG104 

289666 Foel Uchaf Cairn 1.8 0.8 

289620 <strong>Plynlimon</strong> Cwm-Biga Cairn I 5.0 0.5 

Table 9: Funerary cairns in <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) recorded in NMR before 2006. 

289590 Carn Fawr Cairn III 2.0 0.1 

289591 Carn Fawr Cairn II 3.0 0.5 

289621 <strong>Plynlimon</strong> Cwm-Biga Cairn II 2.5 0.5 

289622 Carn Biga Cairn III 1.0 0.1 SAM MG110 

289624 Carn Biga Cairn V 3.25 0.6 

289625 Carn Biga Cairn IV 1.5 0.2 

289638 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn IV 3.5 0.1 SAM CD035 

289641 Pen Pumlumon Arwystli Cairn VI 1.2 0.1 SAM CD035 

289663 Bryn Cras Cairn III 4.0 0.3 

289710 Foel Isaf Cairn 1.25 0.2 

289719 Banc Lluest Newydd Cairn 2.0 0.15 

289722 Carn Gwilym Cairn III 2.5 0.1 SAM MG104 

289726 Carn Gwilym Cairn IV 1.20 0.1 SAM MG104 

289756 Hengwm Cairn 6.0 0.2 

289784 Carn Fach Bugeilyn 1.5 0.2 SAM Mg113 

Table 10: Additional funerary cairns in <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) recorded in NMR in 2006. Some 

fall within the scheduled areas of larger cairns with SAM status, and may represent 

satellite burials to the main cairn. 

Examples of much smaller cairns were also recorded. These are far less obvious in the 

landscape and sometimes overlain by more recent marker cairns. Often, they appear 

close to the much larger cairns listed in Table 9 above. Indeed, it was noticed that most 

of the large cairns had such features, often unrecorded, nearby. It seems possible that 

29


these could be satellite burials, although based on surface evidence alone there is a large 

element of supposition in recording such features as funerary cairns. 

Other examples of smaller cairns were not obviously associated with a larger cairn. For 

example, two small cairns (NPRNs 289591 & 289756) were recorded along the top of 

the southern slope of the Hengwm valley, some 75m and 730m respectively to the 

northeast of Carn Fawr (NPRN 304888). Although they are much smaller than Carn 

Fawr, it appears that they too have been deliberately placed on small rises overlooking 

the valley below. A similar find was made some 900m south of Carn Gwilym cairn 

cemetery (NPRN 303704), where a single, small cairn (NPRN 289719) overlooks the 

Hengwm valley to the south. 

Hengwm has certainly been an important communications route through the mountains 

during the historic period and it may well have been so in prehistoric time. Impressive cairn 

cemeteries stand on Carn Gwilym (566m), Pumlumon Cwmbiga (620m) and Pen 

Pumlumon Arwystli (741m) and there are few places within the study area from which one 

or more of these cairn groups are not visible. Other cairns such as Carn Fawr (NPRN 

304888) and Carnfachbugeilyn (NPRN 304889) are also more locally significant. The 

impression gained is that the area was frequented by Bronze Age travellers, who used the 

valleys to pass north-south and east-west through the mountains, although there is also a 

strong possibility that a settled community existed within or adjacent to the area. 

The Bronze Age monuments within the study area are typically arranged along the high 

ground overlooking the Hengwm valley and on the more prominent peaks either side of 

the valley. This distribution pattern appears to be significant, as there is also a very 

marked concentration of Bronze Age funerary monuments along the high ground 

overlooking the Hengwm valley further to the west. This suggests that the Hengwm 

valley has been used as an east-west communications route through the Cambrian 

Mountains since prehistoric times. 

Most of Bronze Age monuments seem to have been deliberately positioned to be visible 

from the valley and adjacent slopes, but it is important to point out that some of the funerary 

monuments are only visible from particular angles or from particular parts of the Hengwm 

valley. The most notable example of this is the large cairn known as Carn Fawr (NPRN 

304888), situated at the top of the southern valley slope of the Hengwm valley. Carn Fawr 

is more or less invisible from the valley floor and much of the high ground to the north of 

the Hengwm. However, from a select area immediately to the north of the cairn, it appears 

as a dominant feature. The significance of this choice of site is not clear, but the builders of 

Carn Fawr may have only wished it to be visible from a limited area, possibly even from a 

settlement situated in the Hengwm valley or one of its tributary valleys. 

One other observation made in the field which may be of some significance is that despite 

the presence of considerable amounts of quartz outcropping and strewn on the surface both 

to the north and south of the Hengwm valley, there appears to have been a conscious 

decision made to avoid using the material in cairn construction. This is particularly striking 

in the case of Carn Fawr, which lies near the natural stone pair known as Fuwch Wen a Llo 

(NPRN 289633). Despite the presence of considerable amounts of quartz in the vicinity, 

Carn Fawr has little no quartz evident in its make up. The impressive cairns at Carn Biga 

(NPRNs 304836 & 304837) have the same characteristic, although modern hands have 

ironically added large quartz blocks to the tops of each of these latter examples. 

30


Plate 7: (Top) The cairns at Carn Biga. NPRN 289620 in foreground, NPRNs 

304836 and 304837 in background, looking southeast. 

Plate 8: (Bottom) The two largest cairns on Pen Pumlumon Arwystli, NPRNs 

304829 & 304830. Note person in front of the cairn to the left. 

31


Prehistoric Settlement 

The rare example of a possible Bronze Age settlement site recorded near Foel Isaf 

(NPRN 275967) (Silvester, 1999) would be of great significance were its date and 

function to be confirmed by further archaeological investigation in future. However, 

despite its scheduled status, reservations have to be voiced about the identification of 

the features here as a Bronze Age complex. 

It would appear that the main reason for ascribing a prehistoric date to the features is 

that there is a large circular structure, presumed to be a hut circle, surviving as a low 

stone wall base only. In the immediate vicinity are seen fragmentary lengths of rubble 

built “wandering walls”, thought to be associated with the “hut circle”. 

These characteristics have reasonably led to the conclusion that they may indeed be the 

remains of small Bronze Age settlement. However, surface evidence alone is insufficient 

evidence to date or ascribe a function to these features and it has to be pointed out that 

similar characteristics might be expected of upland pastoral sites dating to medieval times. 

Circular stockades or enclosures associated with cattle and sheep-rearing are known 

elsewhere in upland Ceredigion. It must also be pointed out that a Medieval or early Post- 

Medieval long hut and possible sunken shelter are located a short distance to the north of 

the Foel Isaf “settlement”. This may indicate that the features are associated with later 

pastoral activity, although this too is a supposition based on surface evidence only. 

The significance of this site is therefore difficult to assess properly in the absence of more 

detailed archaeological evidence. However, as there are no complexes with comparable 

features in the area, the site is of great interest regardless of its date and function. 

Plate 9: The Foel Isaf hut circle, looking southwest. 

32


3.3 Medieval and Post-Medieval Settlements 

The study area is perceived as an uninhabited upland block in modern times, yet it is 

known that upland farmsteads were occupied into the 20 th century at either end of the 

Hengwm valley, as well as at a few locations within the valley. Medieval and Post- 

Medieval activity is also attested in the area. The medieval Cwmbuga Grange, a 

property of Strata Marcella abbey, extended into the area south of Bugeilyn, whilst the 

Ceredigion abbey of Strata Florida held rights of pasture over the Ceredigion uplands at 

the western end of the Hengwm valley. After the Dissolution, these monastic properties 

passed into the hands of great private estates, such as those of Gogerddan, Ceredigion 

and Wynnstay, Denbighshire (which held considerable estates in Montgomeryshire). 

Very few Medieval or Post-Medieval deserted settlement sites were recorded in the 

NMR within the area prior to the 2006 survey. 

Fieldwork has succeeded in increasing the number of known settlement sites within 

<strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) and allowing us for the first time to piece together an accurate picture of 

how this apparently isolated and remote area was exploited and settled in historic times. 

Newly recorded settlements include the ruined farmstead of Bugeilyn (NPRN 289770), 

the dwelling associated with the 19 th century Cafartha Lead Mine (NPRN 289544), the 

ruined shepherding cottage at Lluest Gelligogau (NPRN 289729) and the long huts 

located at Nant Cerrigaledion the northern side of the Hengwm valley (NPRN 289791). 

3.3.1. Upland Farmsteads & Lluestau 

For at least the past 250 years, the study area has been divided into extensive blocks of 

upland pasture, known in Post-Medieval times as “sheepwalks”. These were attached to 

small upland farmsteads or lluest type shepherding cottages. Often the boundaries of 

these upland sheepwalks were denoted by natural features or boundary markers, 

including stones and cairns. Possible examples were noted near Lluest Gelligogau, 

where 2 small stone cairns were recorded (NPRNs 289683 & 289685). More obvious 

boundary markers encountered on the southern side of the Hengwm valley are a series 

of 7 upright slate slabs, inscribed with the initials WWW and the date 1865. These 

marked the boundaries of the lands of Watkin Williams Wynn of the Wynnstay estate in 

Denbighshire. Most of the historic landholding boundaries of the study area are 

however not evidence tin the field and can only be pieced together with the aid of 

historic map sources. 

Only one farmstead has its dwelling or focus located within the study area prior to 

fieldwork, namely Bugeilyn Farm (NPRN 21375). Other Post-Medieval farmsteads also 

held land within the study area, but the dwellings were located outside the boundary. 

These include Lluest Newydd and Hengwm Annedd in the Hengwm valley, both of 

which stand as ruins just metres from the western boundary of the study area. 

Although the dwelling was abandoned during the mid-20th century, Bugeilyn farm is 

still used by shepherds. The farmhouse (PRN 21375), an ancillary building (NPRN 

289762) and a pigsty (NPRN 289763) are all now in a ruinous condition. None of the 

features viewed in the field appeared to be anything other than Post-Medieval in date. 

33


Plate 10: Bugeilyn farmhouse, NPRN 21375. 

Plate 11: Lluest Gelligogau, NPRN 289729, looking north-westwards to the Hengwm valley. Ancillary 

building NPRN 289730 lies to the bottom of the photograph. Sheepfold NPRN289731 can be seen to the 

right of the rock outcrop across the middle of the photograph and the wall bases of the original dwelling are 

positioned (but not visible here) just beyond, and at right angles to, the furthest gable wall of the cottage. 

34


Figure 9: Farmsteads, longhouses and long huts 

35


The origins of upland farmsteads such as Bugeilyn are not known. It is possible that 

they were first occupied in medieval times, as seasonal dwellings on the mountain 

pastures between Bugeilyn farmstead and such activity, but the name of the lake, which 

has been transferred to the farmstead, may be significant. Bugeilyn translates as 

“Shepherd’s Lake”. As the name is an ancient one, it tells us that as early as medieval 

times, and possibly earlier, there must have been some pastoral farming in the area. The 

presence of bugeiliaid (which means “herdsmen” in its original meaning, not just 

“shepherds”, as in modern Welsh) in the area implies that there must also have been 

huts or even cottages built by them on the mountain pastures. It was certainly 

anticipated at the outset of fieldwork that evidence of this early settlement of would be 

discovered. 

A very different type of deserted settlement site was encountered near the Cafartha Lead 

Mine site, where a very ruinous house (NPRN 289544), garden enclosure (NPRN 

289545) and some small ancillary structures (NPRNs 289546 & 289788) were recorded. 

This is the only example encountered in the study area of a mid- or late-19 th century 

industrial settlement. It seems that the house was built for the use of those involved in 

the management of the lead mine. It does not appear on the 1839 Penegoes parish tithe 

map, but is shown as an occupied building on the 1891 1 st edition Ordnance Survey 

map., possibly even as medieval hafod sites. It is not known whether there was any link 

Alongside the upland farmstead, the Post-Medieval lluest or shepherding station is 

another form of settlement encountered in the mountains of mid-Wales. The lluestau are 

associated with early Post-Medieval shepherding activity. The chief difference between 

a farmstead and a lluest is that the latter tend to have only a small cottage and a small 

number of minor ancillary features. The outbuildings and field systems of a farmstead 

are absent, unless a lluest survived to develop into a fully fledged farmstead in its own 

right. 

The valuable evidence of Lewis Morris, Deputy Crown Steward of the Crown Manor of 

Perfedd, Ceredigion is particularly relevant. Perfedd is the block of land in Ceredigion 

that immediately borders the western side of the 2006 study area. Lewis Morris mapped 

and named the lluestau and cottages of Perfedd manor in 1744, and collected evidence 

of local shepherds and farmers as to the origins of their settlements. The common belief 

recorded by Morris was that the lluestau had originally been seasonally occupied, but 

that had with time (and certainly by the 18 th century), become permanent shepherding 

dwellings (Sambrook, 2006). It is evident in the mid-Wales uplands that lluestau were 

a typical form of settlement on upland or marginal lands by the 17 th century. The rise of 

this settlement form may well have grown out of the economic and social changes that 

occurred during Tudor and Elizabethan times. It is less clear, however, if the lluest 

tradition grew out of the medieval hafod tradition in these areas. 

The most important aspect of the lluest tradition is that it led to a populating of even the 

most remote upland environments in the Cambrian mountain range in both Ceredigion 

and Powys. It meant that shepherds and their families permanently resided on the hills 

of the study area by the 18 th century, and much of the archaeological evidence for 

settlement and land enclosure within this upland block is a direct result of their 

activities. 

36


There are two known lluest sites in the study area. These are Lluest Gelligogau (NPRN 

289729) and Lluest Fach (NPRN 289643). The latter was identified and recorded for 

the first time by this project. 

Lluest Gelligogau is one of the most interesting of the deserted settlements in the study 

area. It is located at the heart of the Hengwm valley and would appear to be one of the 

most remote cottages in the mid-Wales uplands. The name Kelligogeu appears on a 12 th 

century charter 3 of Gwenwynwyn ab Owain Cyfeiliog, which grants rights of pasture to 

the abbey of Strata Marcella across a large tract of mountain land, including the 

Hengwm valley as its southern boundary. It is interesting to note that the name was in 

use at this early date, but we do not know if there was any settlement here at that time. 

The translation of the name, “Cuckoos Grove” is also of interest and hints at a very 

different environment at one time to that which has existed there since early Post- 

Medieval times. 

Gelligogau now survives only as a small, drystone shepherds cottage (NPRN 289729), 

with a small fold associated with it and a number of minor ancillary features. Closer 

inspection in the field, and comparison of field evidence with historic maps, revealed 

that an earlier house (NPRN 289758), shown on an 18 th century Gogerddan estate map 4 , 

stood closer to, and parallel with a small mountain stream that passes near the western 

gable end of the present building. The wall bases of this earlier house can still be seen, 

although they are obscured by thick reed growth. By the time of the Llanbadarn Fawr 

tithe survey map for the Trefeirig Hamlet (1843), Gelligogau was owned and its 364 

acre sheepwalk used by one Owen Jones, but no dwelling is shown on the map. 

Presumably the present structure post-dates the tithe survey therefore. 

Lluest Fach (NPRN 289643) lies only 650m west-northwest of Gelligogau, but is far 

more ruinous, and had not been recorded before 2006. The name of the nearby stream, 

Nant Lluest Fach, was an indication that the settlement must exist somewhere along this 

small tributary valley of the Hengwm, and the house site was quickly located alongside 

the stream, at the edge of the Hengwm floodplain. Unlike Gelligogau, Lluest Fach did 

not survive into the 19 th century and therefore did not see a new dwelling rebuilt to 

replace the early Post-Medieval house that stood here. Therefore the structure is reduced 

to wall bases and is no longer an obvious feature in the landscape. The dwelling was 

recorded as a Long Hut in 2006. Although it is not included in the Lewis Morris survey 

of nearby Perfedd, Lluest Fach would appear to have shared the fate of many of the 

Perfedd lluestau, namely to be abandoned as a place of settlement before the mid- or 

late-18 th century. The house certainly does not appear in any 19 th century surveys and 

would appear to have been forgotten by that time. No ancillary structures were 

identified at Lluest Fach, although stream erosion could have caused the loss of some 

features. At present the Nant Lluest Fach is causing some erosion to the northern end of 

the dwelling site and there has been some loss of the structure at that end, although the 

situation appeared to have stabilised when the site was viewed in 2006. 

3 NLW Ystrad Marchell charter no. 34 

4 NLW Gogerddan Map Book of 1788, p.41-42. In 1788 the cottage and sheepwalk were owned by one 

Charles Griffiths Esq. 

37


3.3.2 Deserted Rural Settlements 

Longhouses and Long Huts 

Deserted farmsteads and lluestau are not the only evidence for settlement in the study 

area. A number of platforms, long huts and longhouses were recorded during 

fieldwork, many for the first time. Some of these structures may represent earlier, 

seasonal settlement, associated with the medieval hafod tradition, whilst others may 

belong to the lluest tradition. Other may have simply been ancillary to other 

settlements, having been built as shepherding huts, or animal folds and shelters. 

One of the great problems with the interpretation of long huts or longhouses on the basis 

of field observation is that we can only presume that they were originally built as 

dwellings. The possibility that some were constructed as animal houses or even for the 

storage of foodstuffs should never be excluded. As documentary or cartographic 

evidence is usually not forthcoming for these structures, and few sites of this type have 

been excavated in the region, our understanding of their function is limited. 

There is only one site recorded as a Long House in the study area. Interestingly, this 

site (NPRN 289749) is located close to the eastern side of Bugeilyn lake. It is the only 

structure in the study area that displays the characteristic change of internal floor level 

that is seen in a typical longhouse. It is associated with an earthwork bank that appears 

to partly enclose the level ground between Bugeilyn lake and the steep slope of Banc 

Bugeilyn, possibly with the intention of controlling animals kept close to the longhouse. 

This site was identified during 2006 for the first time. 

A small number of Long Huts were also recorded. A possibly long hut at Mawnog 

(NPRN 289586) was in very poor condition. Structures found at two other locations are 

of far greater significance. 

A newly discovered group of long huts and ancillary features at Nant Cerrigaledion 

(NPRN 289585) proved to be of great interest. The site overlooks the Hengwm valley 

floor to the south and is located on a moderate slope. The whole area is unfortunately 

obscured with thick bracken, making field survey difficult, but a long hut, two shelters 

or smaller long huts, another shelter and two lengths of drystone walling were recorded 

here. The location of this group of structures in the heart of the Hengwm valley is 

undoubtedly significant as they do not conform to the lluest or farmstead models seen in 

other settlement sites in the study area. It is suspected that this may be a medieval hafod 

site. 

A pair of drystone structures located on a sheltered natural terrace west of Foel Isaf may 

also represent a settlement associated with medieval transhumant activity. The Foel Isaf 

Long Hut (NPRN 289709) has a rectilinear structure (NPRN 289708) alongside which 

was thought to be a possible sunken shelter. These types of shelter, with thick stone 

walls and their floors set into the ground surface, may represent cool storage structures 

for products such as milk, cheese and butter, the produce of Medieval and Post- 

Mediaeval farmers summering their cattle or sheep in the uplands. 

Less certain is the date and function of the platforms recorded during fieldwork. A 

large platform found on Waun To appears to have the characteristics of a typical 

medieval house platform, but it has no ancillary features to assist in determining its 

38


purpose. The identification of a possible platform pair (NPRN 289645-55) to the east of 

Foel Isaf was less certain. One, or both, of these features may have been the result of 

natural processes, although platform NPRN 289645 was thought to be a genuine 

archaeological feature. The other recorded platforms tend to be small features, ancillary 

to a nearby settlement and some are possibly natural features. 

NPRN Name Type 

289585 Waun To Platform 

289586 Mawnog Platform?;Long Hut? 

289654 Foel Isaf, Platform I Platform 

289653 Foel Isaf Platform II Platform? 

289708 Foel Isaf Structure II Shelter?;Long Hut? 

289709 Foel Isaf Long Hut Long Hut 

289713 Nant Cerrigaledion Shelter?Long Hut? 

289715 Nant Cerrigaledion Long Hut? 

289716 Nant Cerrigaledion Long Hut? 

289749 Bugeilyn Longhouse 

289598 Lluest Newydd Platform 

289602 Graig Fach Platform 

289610 Llyn Cwmbyr Platform 

289700 Hengwm Platform 

289727 Cwm Gwerin Platform 

289728 Gelligogau Platform II Platform? 

289744 Bugeilyn Platform II Platform 

289751 Bugeilyn Platform I Platform? 

289788 Cafartha Platform VI Platform 

Table 11: Longhouses, Long Huts and Platforms (non-industrial) 

Plate 12: The longhouse (NPRN 289749) on the eastern side of Bugeilyn lake. 

39


Other shelters and ancillary buildings 

A small number of minor shelters and structures were also recorded, some of which 

were probably ancillary to settlement complexes. These include small drystone shelters 

such as those at Hengwm (NPRN 289711) and Foel Uchaf (NPRN 289665), which may 

have been built as simple shepherds’ shelters. Examples such as those at Lluest Fach 

(NPRN 289712) and Nant Cerrigaledion (NRPN 289718) are located relatively close to 

the settlement focus and may represent simple goose or other animal shelters. 

A rough shelter (NPRN 289739), fashioned in the lee of a large stone boulder on Craig 

yr Eglwys appears to be associated with an unusual group of crude drystone enclosures 

or folds (NPRNs 289735-38) that do not compare with any other types of settlement in 

the district. The group includes four sub-rectangular structures, with very low wall 

bases, the largest of which is no more than 5.5m x 4.75m. It is impossible to say if 

these are in fact huts or fold, and dating such features is also problematic as they do not 

conform to any of the settlement types described previously in this report. 

Two further structures, on Croesau Hyddgen (NPRN 289711) and on the southern side 

of Banc Bugeilyn (NPRN 289755) were simple drystone walls which probably 

represent windbreaks for sheltering sheep. 


289665 Foel Uchaf Shelter 

289672 Croesau Hyddgen Structure 

289711 Hengwm Shelter 

289712 Lluest Fach Shelter 

289718 Nant Cerrigaledion Structure IV Shelter 

289739 Craig yr Eglwys Shelter Shelter 

289755 Banc Bugeilyn Shelter? 

Table 12: Minor structures (does not include shelters built into Bronze Age cairns) 

Folds 

There are examples of both stone-built and modern wire-fence sheepfolds across the 

study area. Some of these sites may have once served as a form of settlement or shelter. 

Some are large and well-built folds, suggesting that they formed focal points for the 

gathering together of flocks from across a relatively wide area. Good examples are the 

Hengwm Annedd folds (NPRN 282314-15), and the Foel Isaf fold (NPRN 289706), all 

of which are between 10m and 20m long and up to 6m wide, with solid drystone walls. 

Smaller folds would appear to have served a slightly different purpose. The streamside 

fold at Lluest Gelligogau (NPRN 289731) may have penned sheep ready for washing in 

the stream. The isolated structure at Llechwedd Diflas (NPRN 289588) is much smaller 

(4.5m x 4m) and may have served as a fold, but could also have served as a shelter for 

shepherds on the hill. Likewise the two-celled fold (NPRN 282347) on the banks of the 

Afon Gwerin may have originally been a shepherd’s hut with an appended sheepfold. 

Here the smaller, southern cell measures c.4.75m x 8m, a size that means that it could 

conceivably have been a hut at some time. 

40



282314 Hengwm Annedd Sheep Fold I Sheep Fold 

282315 Hengwm Annedd Sheep Fold II Sheep Fold 

282347 Cwm Gwerin Sheep Fold Sheep Fold 

289588 Llechwedd Diflas Sheep Fold Sheep Fold 

289596 Lluest Newydd Sheep Fold Sheep Fold 

289681 Carn Hyddgen Long Hut?;Sheep Fold? 

289706 Foel Isaf Sheep Fold Sheep Fold 

289731 Lluest Gelligogau Sheep Fold Sheep Fold 

Table 13: Sheep Folds (not including modern wire-fence folds). 

Plate 13: One of the long huts at Nant Cerrigaledion (NPRN 289716), looking south-westwards across 

the Hengwm valley towards Cwm Gwerin and Pumlumon. Note bracken cover. 

41


3.3.3 The significance of the Post-Medieval settlement 

The greatest significance pertaining to the now deserted settlement sites within the 

study area is undoubtedly that they show very clearly that all parts of the area were 

exploited as parts of pastoral agricultural units based on a small number of settlements 

found within the area, and others just outside the area boundary. Archaeology and 

documentary sources show clearly that this was a settled, managed landscape, belying 

its present character as an uninhabited, mountainous tract. Deserted settlement sites are 

the surest way of raising awareness of the role that human communities have played in 

shaping the land even in such remote areas. 

As far as the significance of the archaeology and history of these sites is concerned, it is 

clear that the study area was host to modest upland farms and cottages. Primarily, these 

sites have been sustained by pastoral farming, and their lands continue to be used for 

such a purpose today, even though the dwelling themselves are no longer inhabited. 

The origins of these settlements remains something of a mystery as there has been no 

excavation work undertaken at any such site in the study area and early references to 

place names cannot always be taken to be evidence of settlement. For example, the 

medieval references to Kelligogeu mentioned previously cannot be taken to mean that a 

settlement existed there in medieval times. 

The farmsteads, longhouses and long huts within the study area are mostly identifiable 

from 18 th and 19 th century sources, but it must be considered likely that some at least 

have their roots in early Post-Medieval or mediaeval times. This would be in keeping 

with an observation made in 1744 by Lewis Morris, the Deputy Crown Steward of the 

Manor of Perfedd (Vaughan, 1966) (part of which in included in the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) study 

area), to the effect that the lluestau and cottages of the main Pumlumon mountain block 

served as permanently occupied shepherding stations in his day, but that they were 

traditionally held to have begun as seasonally occupied dwellings. This can be 

interpreted as meaning that their origins were related to the medieval hafod/hendre 

system, whereby summer dwellings in the mountains were occupied only during the 

summer grazing season. In this context the cottage at Gelligogau and the house site at 

Lluest Fach are of great importance as they certainly fit into the wider pattern of 

lluestau across the Pumlumon massif. 

Many of the settlement sites identified appear to relate to the Post-Medieval models of 

the typical upland farmstead or lluest. Two exceptions can be made however. These 

are the Nant Cerrigaledion long huts (NPRN 289585) and the unusual, crudely built 

huts or folds on Craig yr Eglwys (NPRN 289735-289739). 

The former is a group of three longhuts with ancillary structures, on a relatively steep, 

southwest facing slope. There appears to have been little attempt to select a sheltered 

spot and it seems unlikely that such a site could have been inhabited throughout the 

winter months, as one would expect with Post-Medieval farmsteads and lluestau. Nant 

Cerrigaledion therefore appears to be a possible candidate for a genuine medieval hafod 

site. Such a site deserves more detailed examination, but the bracken cover was a major 

barrier to investigation during the late autumn of 2006. 

42


The significance of the five crude, drystone structures found on Craig yr Eglwys 

(NPRNs 289735-39) is less certain. Although they may simply be relatively 

inconsequential features associated with Post-Medieval shepherding, it may equally be 

the case that they date to earlier times. Stories of medieval battles in the area remind us 

that bands of fighting men or even outlaws may once have taken shelter in these hills. 

Such features could even represent much earlier activity, dating to early Medieval or 

even prehistoric times. Comparable sites have not been discovered elsewhere in the 

district and it is worth noting that the putative Bronze Age settlement site at Foel Isaf 

(NPRN 275967), further up the Hengwm valley does include some rather crude stone 

structures, alongside the “hut circle” recorded there. Furthermore, a single sub-circular 

structure (NPRN 289645) found on Ochr Gerrig, a rocky area on higher ground to the 

southeast of Craig yr Eglwys, is also of indeterminate age and function. The inability to 

discuss such features with any degree of precision reflects the continued lack of 

excavation evidence from a sufficiently wide range of settlement sites in this upland 

region. 

The relatively small number of longhouses, longhuts and platforms recorded during 

2006 can only be a described as being probably representative of seasonal or temporary 

settlement of the mountain pastures since medieval times. None of the examples 

recorded can be described as being of exceptional quality or interest, although the single 

longhouse (NPRN 289749) on the eastern side of Bugeilyn may well be a clue as to 

why the lake received its name. Shepherds must have gathered their flocks here since 

time immemorial and almost certainly spent the grazing season on the pastures with 

their animals. Today, only Bugeilyn farmstead and this single longhouse are found in 

close proximity to the lake, and it seems likely that they have some connection to 

medieval or early Post-Medieval pastoral activity in their origin. This may indicate that 

the shepherds generally occupied huts and shelters elsewhere, such as those in sheltered 

spots further down the Hengwm valley to the west, with the lake area acting as a focus 

of activity when animals were brought to and from the summer pastures. 

Pastoral farming was not the only activity to bring people into these hills in the past 

however. Metal mining briefly attracted people into even the remotest corners of the 

region, with a short-lived effect on the settlement patterns of even the Pumlumon 

massif. The owners of the Cafartha lead mine invested in building a barracks or 

dwellings for miners during the mid-19 th century. A single dwelling near the mine 

(NPRN 289544) may well have been intended as a mines’ captain’s house, but amongst 

the fragmentary ruins of the mine complex itself may be the site of the miners’ barracks 

(perhaps the largest structure at the site, the very ruinous building (NPRN 289537). 

It is important to realise that every part of the area has been exploited by people in the 

past, living within or close to the study area boundary and this presence since medieval 

times is reflected in the archaeological record for the area. 

43


3.4 Post-Medieval Industries 

3.4.1 Metal Mining 

The study area lies between productive areas of the Cardiganshire and 

Montgomeryshire orefields, with the rich mines of Esgairfraith and Esgair Hir to the 

west and Dylife to the east. However, despite a concerted search for metal ores in the 

Pumlumon area during the 19 th century, no significant deposits were found and the 

study area only has evidence of prospecting trenches and a small number of relatively 

small, unsuccessful workings. 

The only disused mine complex of any significance is the Cafartha Lead Mine (NPRN 

306327 – known also as Cyfarthfa or Cyfartha, or Nant Ddu). Some features relating to 

one other mine complex, Hyddgen Mine, are found at the western edge of the study 

area, although most of the Hyddgen workings lie further west and were covered by the 

2005 survey of <strong>Plynlimon</strong> (NW) (Hall & Sambrook, 2006). Some minor workings are 

also found in the study area, most notably a small complex of features to the west of 

Bugeilyn lake (NPRN 289769), which may be the site of the small and briefly 

operational West Cyfartha mine; 

NPRN NGR Name Old County 

306327 Cafartha Lead Mine; Cyfartha Lead Montgomeryshire 

Mine; Nant Ddu Mine 

289769 West Cyfartha Mine? Montgomeryshire 

306328 Hyddgen Lead Mine (part of) Montgomeryshire 

Table 14: Metal mines 

NPRN 306327 CAFARTHA LEAD MINE (see Bick, 1977) 

The remains of this small mine are found sheltered in Nant Ddu valley, at the eastern 

extreme of the study area. The Nant Ddu is a tributary of the Afon Clywedog and 

further downstream from the Cafartha mine, c.1km to the east, is the larger Dyfngwm 

mine complex. Also to the east, less than 3km away, is the important Dylife mine 

complex, the success of which almost certainly resulted in the search for metal ores in 

the vicinity of <strong>Glaslyn</strong> and Bugeilyn, and as far west as Hyddgen, at the western edge of 

the study area. 

Only at Cafartha is the landscape of the study area marked with the full range of mining 

features. These include features associated with all aspects of the mining process. 

Water supply features include a (drained) reservoir and dam (NPRN 289549) and 

several disused leats (e.g. NPRNs 289558, 289626 & 289793). Former mine buildings 

include the crusher house (NPRN 289534), a wheelpit (NPRN 289528), and the sites of 

very ruinous former workshops (NPRN 289537) and a dwelling or office building 

(NPRN 289544). There are infilled and open shafts at the site, with the northernmost 

shaft (NPRN 289521) still open, with the horse-whim platform (NPRN 289524) and the 

balance-bob pit (NPRN 289522) surviving alongside. Small trial levels or adits are 

visible (e.g. NPRN 289529) and relatively large spoil tips (NPRNs 289525-26) occupy 

the heart of the complex. Details such as the gully of the flat rod system (NPRN 

44


289527) and the bases of support stanchions (NPRN 289536) that once supported a 

wooden launder carrying water to the crusher house wheelpit (NPRN 289535) also 

survive. There are also three settling pits (NPRNs 289513-15) close to the crusher house 

(NPRN 289534) at the southern end of Nant Ddu valley, where the fine spoils of the 

dressing floors (NPRN 289533) are spread. There are also 13 prospecting trenches 

found in close proximity to the mine, evidence of the great effort to expand operations 

here in the mid- or late-19 th century. This range of surviving features make this one of 

the more interesting mine complexes in the Pumlumon area. 

Plate 14: The main part of the Cafartha Lead Mine (NPRN 306327), showing the spoil tips around the 

main shafts and wheelpit NPRN 289528. 

45


Cafartha was not a particularly successful mine, despite considerable investment in the site 

throughout the middle part of the 19 th century. It seems that Cafartha was being worked in 

conjunction with nearby Dyfngwm as early as 1842. Ore raised at Cafartha was carted to 

Dyfngwm for dressing, and then carted back to the coast for export to smelteries elsewhere 

(Bick, 2004). The now drained reservoir to the north of Cafartha was built in 1852 to 

supply Dyfngwm. It is not known if the water was also used by Cafartha. 

Exeter University’s Mineral Statistics DataBase Explorer 5 includes the following 

information for the “Cyfartha Mine”, showing that the mine continued to be worked 

until the late 1880s; 

Owners 

1861-1867 John Taylor & Sons 

1868-1873 Thomas Savin 

1874-1875 Cyfartha Mining Co. 

1876-1887 Fredrick Last & Sons 

Manager 

1869-1874 Edward Williams 

Chief Agents 

1861-1867 W. Littlejohns 

1868 Edward Williams 

1875-1877 Evan Richards 

1878 James W. Nicholas 

1879-1883 Benjamin Williams 

1884-1887 Frank Kitto 

It is interesting to note that the mine was owned by the prominent Taylor family during 

the 1860s, followed by Thomas Savin, the railway engineer who built many of the mid- 

Wales railway lines during the 1860s. It is also worth noting that the Sales Catalogue 6 

of the mine dated to 1864 is held by the National Library of Wales, indicating that the 

Taylor’s wished to sell several years before Savin eventually purchased the mine. In the 

most detailed available account of the history of Cafartha, Bick (1977) records that 

Fredrick Last & Co. invested £70,000 in the mine, despite its poor record. They 

produced only 100 tons of lead and copper ore before ceasing operations. 

The small mine site to the west of Bugeilyn may be the short-lived West Cyfartha Mine, 

which was owned by one C. Herbert Stokes between 1877 and 1882. Stokes was also 

the Chief Agent. He tried his hand with a number of small workings in the area, none 

of which appear to have brought him much success. When visited in 2006 it was found 

that there are possibly two levels here. The upper level (NPRN 289655) has collapsed 

and is blocked, and has the largest of the spoil tips (NPRN 289656) at the site. The 

lower level (NPRN 289611 - which may be a drainage adit) is barely open but water is 

still issuing from it. There was also a shallow opencut (NPRN 289612), another small 

spoil tip (NPRN 289613, and possibly an infilled trial shaft (NPRN 289660). Several 

prospecting trenches were also recorded in the immediate area. 

5 http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/mhn/msdb/ 

6 NLW Map Stack, Sales Catalogue Long. 273 

46


Figure 10: Metal mines and mining features 

47


3.4.2 Peat Cutting 

Although peat cutting was found to have been a major activity in the area immediately 

to the west of the study area (Hall & Sambrook, 2006), the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) area has 

markedly less evidence for this industry. Only 15 peat cutting areas were identified 

during fieldwork, mostly individual cuts rather than extensive areas of activity. The cuts 

were typically rectilinear in form and less than 0.5m deep. 

A striking characteristic of the peat or turf cutting areas identified in the study area is 

that they all appear to be directly related to known Post-Medieval settlements, from 

Lluest Newydd at the western end of the Hengwm valley eastwards to Bugeilyn farm. 

The largest and most obvious area of peat workings was found at Nant Ddu, close to 

Cafartha lead mine (NPRN 289519) and could well represent activity to supply fuel to 

miners’ dwellings and the extant cottage site (NPRN 289544) at the mine site itself. 

All the peat cutting activity noted in the field is found in the relatively low lying valley 

floors of the study area. The extensive areas of thick blanket peat on the mountain 

slopes above the valleys do not appear to bear evidence of peat cutting activity. It is not 

clear if the large scale erosion of these higher peat deposits is in any way connected to 

earlier peat cutting activity. No documentary or cartographic evidence has been found 

that points to such activity on the higher ground, such as the exploitation of communal 

turbaries that is known in most areas of the mid-Wales uplands. 

The suspicion is that peat cutting activity did not reach the higher parts of the study 

area. No evidence for peat drying platforms was identified in the field in 2006. Across 

most of the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) study area there are very few trackways or footpaths that can be 

followed on the ground, or shown on historic or modern maps, leading to areas of thick 

peat deposits. It therefore it does not appear that a network of peat cutters tracks ever 

developed in the area. 

48


3.4.3 Water Supply 

Although the study area takes is name from the natural lake at <strong>Glaslyn</strong>, it actually lies 

outside the 2006-2007 study area. Nevertheless, the water supply industry has made a 

visible impact on the landscape of the study area. 

The natural lake of Bugeilyn is the largest of the two lakes now found within the study 

area. Bugeilyn has formed in a glacial hollow. Its waters flow naturally 

northwestwards via a small stream into the smaller Cwmbyr lake. This second lake has 

been created or enhanced by the provision of a modern concrete dam (which has 

replaced an earlier, partly surviving earthwork dam shown on late 19 th century 

Ordnance Survey maps (NPRN 289603). Cwmbyr reservoir does not appear on the 

1831 Ordnance Survey map and therefore it must be assumed that it was created as an 

artificial reservoir in the mid-19 th century. 

A system of associated underground pipes, with some sluices, are seen to the northwest 

and southwest of these lakes (e.g. NPRN 289776). These appear to relate to mid- or 

late-20 th century activity. The water piped southwestwards from Bugeilyn feeds into the 

Hengwm river and ultimately into the Nantymoch Reservoir at the western end of the 

Hengwm valley. 

In the 19 th century a third body of water existed nearby, namely the reservoir built to 

supply water to the Dyfngwm lead mine. This reservoir is shown on the 1891 Ordnance 

Survey map but was presumably drained in the early 20 th century, after the closure of 

Dyfngwm and other mines. A large breach in the earthwork dam (NPRN 289549) 

would seem to have been deliberately made. 

3.4.4 Significance of the Industrial Sites 

<strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) does not possess a significant number or range of industrial sites, despite the 

presence of most of the Cafartha Lead Mine (NPRN 306327) within its area. 

Cafartha is the only large mine complex found, but as it was an essentially failed 

venture, there is no great historic importance to be attached to the remains. Other than 

Cafartha, only the minor workings at Bugeilyn (NPRN 289769) and parts of the 

Hyddgen Lead Mine (NPRN 306328) fall within the study area, but none of the local 

metal mines can be said to be of importance in the context of the development of the 

mining industry in the mid-Wales orefield. None of the sites within the study area 

produced significant quantities of metal ores and all were short lived. Their importance 

lies only in their association with the larger mines at nearby Dyfngwm and Dylife. It 

was the success of these mines that seems to have prompted the often unsuccessful 

search for the same rich ore bodies in adjacent areas. 

However, it must be emphasised that the surface features at Cafartha in particular are of 

interest to anyone who wishes to understand the processes of metal mining. Surface 

features such as prospecting trenches, mineshafts, levels, spoil tips, tramways, leats, the 

reservoir, wheel pits and some buildings are still identifiable in a landscape that hasn't 

been greatly affected by later development. These are generally in sufficiently good 

49


condition at present to give an insight into some of the detail of the surface operations at 

a typical mid-Wales metal mine complex. 

The peat industry has a low profile in the area and would seem to be confined to 

exploiting small areas of peat for use at settlements within the study area as a source of 

domestic fuel for heating and cooking. There is certainly no evidence of peat being 

carried in large quantities away from the immediate area or of turbaries being exploited 

here by communities around the mountain fringe. 

Plate 15: The modern concrete dam at the northern end of Llyn Cwmbyr. The small island in the lake is 

part of an original earthwork dam (NPRN 289603) shown on 19 th century Ordnance Survey maps. 

50


4. Conclusions 

The archaeology of the <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) study area conforms in most respects to that of 

adjacent areas, as experienced by those involved in this project. The range of 

identifiable archaeological monuments and features includes a significant number of 

Bronze Age ritual and funerary monuments and important evidence of Bronze Age 

settlement and hunting activity. A range of medieval and Post-Medieval settlements are 

present, almost exclusively associated with pastoral farming and showing that this 

district has not always been uninhabited. A small number of Post-Medieval and modern 

industrial sites are also found, indicating that even this remote area did not escape the 

effects of the industrial revolution. In summary, the key points raised are; 

• The distribution of the Bronze Age funerary and ritual monuments in the area is 

confined to the higher ground to the north and south of the Hengwm valley. The 

project has succeeded in recording a number of new cairns that give a much more 

even distribution of funerary monuments in this area. There is clearly great 

significance in the fact that the Hengwm valley is the focus of these sites. This is 

enhanced by the presence of a possible Bronze Age settlement site in a tributary 

valley of the Hengwm and the findspots of over 250 flint arrowheads and flakes in 

the vicinity of Bugeilyn and the upper Hengwm valley. This suggests strongly that 

Bronze Age people not only used these valleys as communications routes through 

the mountains, but may also have established hunting camps, or indeed permanent 

settlements, within this area. Blanket peats may well be covering vital evidence of 

this period, but widespread and deep erosion of the peats does offer an opportunity 

to monitor the local hills for further discoveries. 

• The distribution of Post-Medieval settlements is also concentrated along the 

Hengwm valley. This confirms the importance of the valley as an historic 

communication route, and also shows that pastoral farming had become well 

established within the study area by the 18 th century. It is not known how early the 

origins of any of these settlement sites might be, but some may have originally 

served as hafod sites. This would indeed be a reasonable expectation as it is known 

that most of the study area fell within an upland grange of Strata Marcella abbey 

during medieval times and would have been exploited for its natural resources. 

• The search for metal ores certainly reached the study area in the mid-19 th century. 

Despite being located between the ore rich mines of Esgair Hir (Ceredigion) and 

Dylife (Powys), the mineral wealth of <strong>Glaslyn</strong> (S) was not great and none of the 

local mines produced a significant amount of metal ores. The remains of the mine 

complexes within the study area are significant not for their success or output, but 

for the fact that their surface workings are relatively undisturbed. This is particularly 

true in the case of the Cafartha mine, where evidence such as the position of settling 

tanks, stanchions for launders and even a flat-rod gully can be identified, giving an 

insight into many of the activities and processes at a typical 19 th century lead mine, 

many of which are usually destroyed or obscured by later activity. 

51


5. Sources 

Published Map Sources 

Ordnance Survey, 1891, Montgomeryshire XL.NW- Cardiganshire V.NW, scale 1:10560 

Ordnance Survey, 1891, Montgomeryshire XL.NE - Cardiganshire V.NE, scale 1:10560 


Ordnance Survey, 1891, Montgomeryshire XXXIII.SW, scale 1:10560 

Ordnance Survey, 1891, Montgomeryshire XXXIII.SE, scale 1:10560 

Ordnance Survey, 1891, Montgomeryshire XL.SW - Cardiganshire V.SW, scale 1:10560 

Ordnance Survey, 1891, Montgomeryshire XL.SE - Cardiganshire V.SE, scale 1:10560 

Ordnance Survey, 1903, Montgomeryshire XL.NW- Cardiganshire V.NW, scale 1:10560 



Ordnance Survey, 1903, Montgomeryshire XXXIII.SW, scale 1:10560 

Ordnance Survey, 1903, Montgomeryshire XXXIII.SE, scale 1:10560 

Ordnance Survey, 1903, Montgomeryshire XL.SW - Cardiganshire V.SW, scale 1:10560 

Ordnance Survey, 1903, Montgomeryshire XL.SE - Cardiganshire V.SE, scale 1:10560 

Unpublished Map Sources 

Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Machynlleth, 1844 

Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Llanbadarn Fawr, Trefeirig Hamlet, 1843 

NLW Gogerddan Map Book of 1788, p.41-42. Gelligogau 

Gogerddan Collection 137. 1860. Map of Hyddgen 

NLW Vol. 37, p.40. 1788. Map of Hyddgen 

Wynnstay D.C Vol. 1 p.115-116. 1763. Map of Lluest Newydd 

Wynnstay D.C Vol. 1 p.110-111. 1763. Map of Lluest Newydd 

Aerial Photographs 

RAF vertical AP 541/59 – 4014 

RAF vertical AP 541/59 - 3095 

RAF vertical AP 58/4502 – 0231 

Ordnance Survey vertical AP 86 247 – 518 




52


Published sources 

Bick, DE, 1977, The Old Metal Mines of Mid Wales - West Montgomeryshire, p.6 

Bick, DE, 2004, Dyfngwm: A good mine ruined in The Welsh Mines Society Newsletter 

No. 51 pp.19-25. 

Briggs, CS and Murphy, K, 1984, Archaeology in Wales, Volume 24, pages 28-33 

Davies, AS, 1935, Bronze Age finds on Plynlymon Moorland, Arch Camb, p.153-6, 

including illustrations 

Hall, J & Sambrook, P, 2006, <strong>Uplands</strong> <strong>Initiative</strong>: Pumlumon (Northwest) 

Archaeological Survey 

Howell, JM, 1917. Miscellanea, Arch Camb, p.318 

Jones, O.T., 1922,.Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain, Vol. 

XX.-Lead and Zinc. The mining District of North Cardiganshire and West 

Montgomeryshire, pp.57-59 

Peate, IC, 1925, Arrowheads from Bugeilyn, Arch Camb, p.196-202, including 

illustrations 

Peate, IC, 1925, Arrowheads from Bugeilyn, Arch Camb p 415-416 

Peate, IC, 1928, More arrowheads from Bugeilyn, Arch Camb, p.344-5, including 

illustrations 

Peate, IC, 1930, Arrowheads and flints from Bugeilyn, Arch Camb, p.200-20, 

including illustrations 

RCAHM , 1911, Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Wales and Monmouth I - 

County of Montgomery 

Sambrook, P, 2006, “Deserted Rural Settlements in Southwest Wales” in Deserted 

Rural Settlements in Wales, Cadw 

Smith, RT, & Taylor, JA, 1969, “The Post-Glacial Development of Vegetation of Soils 

in Northern Cardiganshire” in Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 

No.48, pp.75-96. 

Vaughan, C, 1966 Lluestau Blaenrheidol, Ceredigion, 5, 246-63 

53


Unpublished sources 

Bridges, T.F., 1975, West Bugeilyn Mine, <strong>Plynlimon</strong>, Mid-Wales. Private 

communication held by the members library of the Russell Society.) 

CAP, 2005, <strong>Uplands</strong> <strong>Initiative</strong>: Nant y Moch & Pumlimon Fawr 

CPAT, 2002, Lithic Scatters Project. CPAT Report 

CPAT, 2002, Prehistoric Ritual & Funerary Monuments in Montgomeryshire. CPAT 

Report. 

DAT, 1998, Historical Landscape Characterisation – Upland Ceredigion. 

National Library of Wales Map Stack, Sales Catalogue Long. 273. Cafartha Lead 

Mine 

National Library of Wales, Ystrad Marchell charter no. 34 

Sambrook, P & Darke, I 1997, The Mynydd y Ffynnon Project: Castell-Rheidol 

Upland Survey. Unpublished DAT report 

Sambrook, P & Hankinson, R, 1998, The Mynydd y Ffynnon project phase IV, 

unpublished DAT report 

Silvester, B , 1999 , The Round Huts of Central Powys , CPAT report 303, 

Walters, M, 1994, Powys Metal Mines Survey 1993. CPAT Trust Report No. 89. 

54


6. Recommendations 

The following lists highlight those sites which might be suitable for further analysis, 

palaeoenvironmental analysis and inclusion on future Ordnance Survey maps. 

Detailed site analysis and buildings survey 

NPRN 306327 Cafartha Lead Mine 

NPRN 289791 Nant Cerrigaledion Deserted Rural Settlement 

NPRN 289735-289739 Craig yr Eglwys structures 

Sites for pollen analysis and other environmental sampling see Fig. 14 

There are extensive areas of blanket peats across the study area. Some of these are 

affected by serious erosion and provide good opportunities to examine deep sections 

through the deposits, down to the presumed Bronze Age land surface. Although there 

are many sites where pollen analysis may be possible, the following list is a sample of 

what are considered to be the most promising areas for access to relatively undisturbed 

peat deposits, including waterlogged deposits. The areas are loosely defined and 

centred on the grid-references provided; 

SN8208091540 

SN7960090860 

& SN7966091340 

SN8089092270 

SN8286092690 

SN8188089920 

& SN8190089390 

Upper Hengwm Valley 

Croesau Hyddgen 

Llechwedd Crin 

Banc Bugeilyn 

Blaen Hafren 

Sites for inclusion on Ordnance Survey mapping 

NPRN 289791 Nant Cerrigaledion Deserted Rural Settlement 

NPRN 289769 Bugeilyn Lead Mine 

NPRN 289756 Hengwm Cairn 

NPRN 289719 Banc Lluest Newydd Cairn 

NPRN 289591 Carn Fawr Cairn II 

NPRN 289663 Bryn Cras Cairn III 

NPRN 289666 Foel Uchaf Cairn 

NPRN 289710 Foel Isaf Cairn 

NPRN 289621 <strong>Plynlimon</strong> Cwm-Biga Cairn II 

NPRN289749 Bugeilyn Longhouse 

NPRN289588 Llechwedd Diflas Sheep Fold 

NPRN289681 Carn Hyddgen Long Hut?; Sheep Fold? 

NPRN289678 Carn Hyddgen Prospecting trench 



55


Plate 16: The Long Hut or Sheepfold at Carnau Hyddgen (NPRN 289681) 

Plate 17: One of the crude folds or huts of unknown date at Craig yr Eglwys (NPRN 289736). 

56


Figure 11: Areas thought suitable for palaeoenvironmental sampling 

57 

Plate 18: The thick peat 

deposits over much of the study 

area are suffering severe 

erosion in some areas, such as 

here on Foel Uchaf.


Appendix A - Site Type Summary 

Site Type 

Number NPRN Site Name 

ADIT 1 

AQUEDUCT 1 

BALANCE PIT 1 

BANK 5 

(EARTHWORK) 

BOAT HOUSE 1 

BOUNDARY STONE 7 

BRIDGE 3 

BUILDING 1 

BUILDING 1 

PLATFORM 

BUILDING? 1 

289529 CAFARTHA, ADIT 

289501 CAFARTHA, AQUEDUCT I 

289522 CAFARTHA, BALANCE PIT 

289594 LLECHWEDD DIFLAS, BANK 

289597 LLUEST NEWYDD, BANK 

289747 BUGEILYN, EARTHWORK BANK II 

289754 BUGEILYN, EARTHWORK BANK I 

289761 BUGEILYN, BANK 

289760 BUGEILYN, BOAT HOUSE 

289627 CARN FACH BUGEILYN, BOUNDARY 

STONE 

289631 BLAEN HAFREN, BOUNDARY STONE 

289635 PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, BOUNDARY 

STONE III 


STONE II 


STONE I 

289647 BRYN CRAS, BOUNDARY STONE I 

289662 BRYN CRAS, BOUNDARY STONE II 

289668 HYDDGEN, BRIDGE 

282317 HENGWM ANNEDD, BRIDGE 

289766 BUGEILYN, BRIDGE 

289762 BUGEILYN, FARM BUILDING 

289538 CAFARTHA, PLATFORM V 

289546 CAFARTHA, STONE FOUNDATION 

58


Site Type 


CAIRN 26 

CAIRN CEMETERY 3 

CAIRN? 2 

CAUSEWAY? 1 

CIRCULAR 1 

FEATURE 

COMMEMORATIVE 

MONUMENT 1 

304829 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN I 

304837 CARN BIGA, CAIRN II 

304836 CARN BIGA, CAIRN I 

304831 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN III 

304830 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN II 

304888 CARN FAWR, CAIRN I 

304889 CARNFACHBUGEILYN;CARN FACH 

BUGEILYN, CAIRN 

289590 CARN FAWR, CAIRN III 

289591 CARN FAWR, CAIRN II 

289620 PLYNLIMON CWM-BIGA, CAIRN I 

289621 PLYNLIMON CWM-BIGA, CAIRN II 

289622 CARN BIGA, CAIRN III 

289624 CARN BIGA, CAIRN V 

289625 CARN BIGA, CAIRN IV 

289638 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN IV 

289641 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN VI 

289663 BRYN CRAS, CAIRN III 

289666 FOEL UCHAF, CAIRN 

289710 FOEL ISAF, CAIRN 

289719 BANC LLUEST NEWYDD, CAIRN 

289720 CARN GWILYM, CAIRN I 

289722 CARN GWILYM, CAIRN III 

289723 CARN GWILYM, CAIRN II 

289726 CARN GWILYM, CAIRN IV 

289756 HENGWM, CAIRN 

289784 CARN FACH BUGEILYN, CAIRN 

303704 CARN GWILYM, CAIRN CEMETERY 

289789 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN 

CEMETERY 

289790 CARN BIGA, CAIRN CEMETERY 

289642 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN V 

289674 NANT Y GARN, CAIRN 

289520 CAFARTHA, CAUSEWAY 

289673 CARN HYDDGEN, CIRCULAR STRUCTURE 

289532 WAUN OER, MEMORIAL 

59


Site Type 


COTTAGE 4 

CULVERT 1 

DAM 2 

DESERTED RURAL 1 

SETTEMENT 

EARTHWORK 2 

ENCLOSURE 7 

ENCLOSURE?; 

WALL?;FOLD? 1 

ENGINE HOUSE 1 

FARMHOUSE 1 

FARMSTEAD 1 

FIELD 1 

FIELD SYSTEM 1 

FIND SCATTER 1 

FOOTBRIDGE 1 

FORD 1 

289544 CAFARTHA, BUILDING I 

289729 LLUEST GELLIGOGAU, BUILDING III 

289730 LLUEST GELLIGOGAU, BUILDING I 

289758 LLUEST GELLIGOGAU, BUILDING II 

289608 LLYN CWM-BYR, CULVERT 

289603 LLYN CWM-BYR, DAM I 

289604 LLYN CWM-BYR, DAM II 

289791 NANT CERRIGALEDION, DESERTED 

RURAL SETTLEMENT 

289733 GELLIGOGAU, EARTHWORK II 

289734 GELLIGOGAU, EARTHWORK I 

289545 CAFARTHA, ENCLOSURE 

289606 LLYN CWM-BYR, ENCLOSURE 

289645 OCHR GERRIG, ENCLOSURE 

289701 FOEL ISAF, ENCLOSURE I 

289736 CRAIG YR EGLWYS, ENCLOSURE I 

289738 CRAIG YR EGLWYS, ENCLOSURE II 

289771 BUGEILYN, ENCLOSURE 

289704 FOEL ISAF, ENCLOSURE II 

289539 CAFARTHA, ENGINE HOUSE 

21375 BUGEILYN, FARMHOUSE 

289770 BUGEILYN, FARMSTEAD 

289740 HENGWM ANNEDD, FIELD 

289783 BUGEILYN, FIELD SYSTEM 

289792 BUGEILYN, FLINT TOOLS 

289669 HYDDGEN, FOOTBRIDGE 

289670 HYDDGEN, FORD 

60


Site Type 


GRAVEL PIT? 2 

HISTORICAL SITE 1 

HORSE WHIM 1 

HUT CIRCLE 1 

SETTLEMENT 

HUT CIRCLE? 1 

LAKE 1 

LAUNDER 1 

LEAD MINE 2 

LEAT 5 

LEVEL 5 

LONG HUT 1 

LONG HUT? 3 

LONG 1 

HUT?;SHEEP 

FOLD? 

289557 BANC BUGEILYN, GRAVEL PIT 

289589 LLECHWEDD DIFLAS, GRAVEL PIT 

289772 SIAMBR TRAWSFYNYDD, OWAIN 

GLYNDWR'S CAMP 

289524 CAFARTHA, CIRCULAR EARTHWORK 

275967 HUT CIRCLE SETTLEMENT BELOW FOEL 

ISAF, BUGEILYN 

289702 FOEL ISAF, CIRCULAR STRUCTURE 

402607 BUGEILYN LAKE, WEST OF DYLIFE 

289536 CAFARTHA, LAUNDER 

306327 NANT DDU MINE, LEAD MINE;CAFARTHA 

MINE, LEAD MINE 

289769 BUGEILYN, LEAD MINE 

289558 BANC BUGEILYN, LEAT 

289593 OCHR LLYGNANT, LEAT 

289626 CAFARTHA, LEAT 

289778 NANT Y GARN, LEAT 


289611 BUGEILYN, LEVEL II 

289655 BUGEILYN, LEVEL I 

289671 OCHR LLYGNANT, LEVEL 

289753 BUGEILYN, LEVEL III 

289677 NANT Y GARN, LEVEL 

289643 LLUEST FACH, LONG HUT 

289709 FOEL ISAF, LONG HUT 

289715 NANT CERRIGALEDION, STRUCTURE II 

289716 NANT CERRIGALEDION, STRUCTURE I 

289681 CARN HYDDGEN, RECTANGULAR 

STRUCTURE 

61


Site Type 


LONGHOUSE 1 

MARKER CAIRN 10 

MARKER POST 2 

MINE BUILDING 1 

MINE BUILDING? 1 

MINING FEATURE 1 

MOUND 4 

NATURAL 1 

FEATURE 

PEAT CUTTING 10 

PEAT CUTTING? 2 

PEAT WORKINGS 2 

289749 BUGEILYN, LONGHOUSE 

289630 BLAEN HAFREN, CAIRN II 

289632 BLAEN HAFREN, CAIRN I 

289634 PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN 

289721 CARN GWILYM, CAIRN V 

289724 CARN GWILYM, CAIRN VI 

289683 BRYN CRAS, CAIRN I 

289685 BRYN CRAS, CAIRN IV 

289687 BRYN CRAS, CAIRN II 

289785 CARN BIGA, MARKER CAIRN I 

289787 CARN BIGA, MARKER CAIRN II 

289650 BUGEILYN, POST 

289779 SOURCE OF THE RIVER SEVERN 

289534 CAFARTHA, BUILDING III 

289537 CAFARTHA, BUILDING II 

289659 BUGEILYN, MINING FEATURE 

289601 GRAIG FACH, MOUND 

289745 BUGEILYN, MOUND I 

289750 BUGEILYN, MOUND II 

289682 BLAEN HAFREN, MOUND 

289774 BRYN CRAS, NATURAL FEATURE 

289548 CAFARTHA, PEAT CUTTING 

289552 CERRIG BRITHION, PEAT CUTTING I 

289565 BRYN YR WYN, PEAT CUTTING I 

289566 BRYN YR WYN, PEAT CUTTING II 

289567 BRYN YR WYN, PEAT CUTTING III 

289568 BRYN YR WYN, PEAT CUTTING IV 

289569 BRYN YR WYN, PEAT CUTTING V 

289583 BANC BUGEILYN, PEAT CUTTING 

289587 MAWNOG, PEAT CUTTING 

289746 BUGEILYN, PEAT CUTTING 

289550 CERRIG BRITHION, PEAT CUTTING II 

289648 LLECHWEDD CRIN, EARTHWORK 

289519 NANT DDU, PEAT WORKING 

289500 WAUN OER, PEAT WORKINGS I 

62


Site Type 


PEAT WORKINGS? 1 

PIGSTY 1 

PLANTATION 1 

PLATFORM 12 

PLATFORM? 4 

PLATFORM?;LONG1 

HUT? 

PLATFORM?;TERR 1 

ACE? 

POND 1 

QUARRY 6 

RESERVOIR 1 

ROUND BARROW? 1 

289599 LLUEST NEWYDD, PEAT WORKING 

289763 BUGEILYN, PIGSTY 

289780 BLAEN BIGA, CONIFER PLANTATION 

289542 CAFARTHA, PLATFORM II 

289543 CAFARTHA, PLATFORM III 

289547 CAFARTHA, PLATFORM I 

289598 LLUEST NEWYDD, PLATFORM 

289602 GRAIG FACH, PLATFORM 

289610 LLYN CWM-BYR, PLATFORM 

289654 FOEL ISAF, PLATFORM I 

289700 HENGWM, PLATFORM 

289744 BUGEILYN, PLATFORM II 

289751 BUGEILYN, PLATFORM I 

289757 GELLIGOGAU, PLATFORM I 

289788 CAFARTHA, PLATFORM VI 

289585 WAEN TO, PLATFORM 

289653 FOEL ISAF, PLATFORM II 

289727 CWM GWERIN, PLATFORM 

289728 GELLIGOGAU, PLATFORM II 

289586 MAWNOG, PLATFORM 

289555 CAFARTHA, PLATFORM IV 

289595 LLUEST NEWYDD, POND 

289516 CAFARTHA, QUARRY 

289553 CERRIG BRITHION, QUARRY II 

289554 CERRIG BRITHION, QUARRY I 

289600 LLUEST NEWYDD, QUARRY 

289667 ESGAIR, QUARRY 

289773 BUGEILYN, QUARRY 

289549 CAFARTHA, RESERVOIR 

289618 ESGAIR GREOLEN, MOUND 

63


Site Type 


SETTLING PIT 3 

SHAFT 4 

SHEEP FOLD 9 

SHEEP FOLD? 2 

SHEEP 1 

FOLD?;ENCLOSURE 

SHEEP WASH 2 

SHEEP WASH? 1 

SHELTER 12 

SHELTER? 2 

SHELTER?;LONG 2 

289513 CAFARTHA, SETTLING PIT I 

289514 CAFARTHA, SETTLING PIT II 

289515 CAFARTHA, SETTLING PIT III 

289518 CAFARTHA, SHAFT III 

289521 CAFARTHA, SHAFT II 

289540 CAFARTHA, SHAFT I 

289660 BUGEILYN, SHAFT 

282347 CWM GWERIN, SHEEP FOLD 

289596 LLUEST NEWYDD, SHEEP FOLD 

289706 FOEL ISAF, SHEEP FOLD 

289731 LLUEST GELLIGOGAU, SHEEP FOLD 

289686 BLAEN HAFREN, SHEEP FOLD 

282314 HENGWM ANNEDD, SHEEP FOLD I 

282315 HENGWM ANNEDD, SHEEP FOLD II 

289781 ESGAIR GREOLEN, SHEEP FOLD 

289782 BUGEILYN, SHEEP FOLD 

289588 LLECHWEDD DIFLAS, SHEEP FOLD 

289737 CRAIG YR EGLWYS, ENCLOSURE IV 

289735 CRAIG YR EGLWYS, ENCLOSURE III 

289605 LLYN CWM-BYR, SHEEP WASH 

289707 FOEL ISAF, SHEEP WASH 

289664 NANT LLUEST FACH, SHEEP WASH 

289623 CARN BIGA, SHELTER 

289628 CARN FACH BUGEILYN, SHELTER 

289640 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, SHELTER I 

289644 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, SHELTER II 

289665 FOEL UCHAF, SHELTER 

289711 HENGWM, SHELTER I 

289712 LLUEST FACH, SHELTER 

289725 CARN GWILYM, SHELTER 

289739 CRAIG YR EGLWYS, SHELTER 

289764 CARN FAWR, SHELTER 

289767 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, SHELTER III 

289768 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, SHELTER IV 

289718 NANT CERRIGALEDION, STRUCTURE IV 

289755 BANC BUGEILYN, SHELTER 

64


Site Type 


HUT? 

SLUICE 3 

SPOIL TIP 9 

STONE 2 

STONE PILE 5 

STONE SPREAD 1 

STRUCTURE 1 

STRUCTURE?; 

WALL 1 

TRACKWAY 4 

TRACKWAY? 1 

TRAMWAY? 1 

TRANSMISSION 1 

RODS 

289708 FOEL ISAF, STRUCTURE II 

289713 NANT CERRIGALEDION, STRUCTURE III 

289765 BUGEILYN, SLUICE 

289776 RHAIADR WEN, SLUICE 

289777 NANT Y GARN, SLUICE 

289525 CAFARTHA, SPOIL TIP II 

289526 CAFARTHA, SPOIL TIP III 

289533 CAFARTHA, SPOIL TIP I 

289592 OCHR LLYGNANT, SPOIL TIP 

289613 BUGEILYN, SPOIL TIP III 

289616 BUGEILYN, SPOIL TIP I 

289656 BUGEILYN, SPOIL TIP II 

289752 BUGEILYN, SPOIL TIP IV 

289676 NANT Y GARN, SPOIL TIP 

289633 FUWCH WEN A LLO, STONE 

289775 CARN HYDDGEN, STONE 

289511 NANT DDU, CAIRN 

289551 CERRIG BRITHION, CAIRN 

289609 LLYN CWM-BYR, CAIRN 

289629 BLAEN HAFREN, CAIRN III 

289646 OCHR GERRIG, STONE PILE 

289639 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, STONE 

SPREAD 

289672 CROESAU HYDDGEN, STRUCTURE 

289705 FOEL ISAF, STRUCTURE I 

289617 CERRIG BRITHION, GULLY 

289651 HENGWM, TRACKWAY 

289652 FOEL ISAF, TRACKWAY 

289675 NANT Y GARN, TRACKWAY 

289607 LLYN CWM-BYR, TRACKWAY 

289523 CAFARTHA, TRAMWAY 

289527 CAFARTHA, GULLY 

65


Site Type 


TRIAL MINE 40 

TRIAL MINE? 3 

TRIAL 1 

MINE?;QUARRY? 

WALL 5 

289510 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH IX 

289512 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH X 

289517 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH XII 

289530 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH XIII 

289531 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH XI 

289502 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH I 

289503 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH II 

289504 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH III 

289505 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH IV 

289506 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH V 

289507 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH VI 

289508 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH VII 

289509 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH VIII 

289556 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH XV 

289560 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH I 

289561 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH V 

289562 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH IV 

289563 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH III 

289564 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH II 

289570 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH XIII 

289571 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH VII 

289572 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH I 

289573 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH II 

289574 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH III 

289575 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH IV 

289576 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH XII 

289577 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH XVI 

289578 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH VI 

289579 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH X 

289581 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH IX 

289582 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH XI 

289584 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH V 

289612 BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH III 

289614 BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH IV 

289615 BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH V 

289657 BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH II 

289658 BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH I 

289678 CARN HYDDGEN, PROSPECTING TRENCH I 

289679 CARN HYDDGEN, PROSPECTING TRENCH II 

289680 CARN HYDDGEN, PROSPECTING TRENCH III 

289559 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH 

XIV 

289580 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING TRENCH 

VIII 

289732 GELLIGOGAU, PROSPECTING TRENCH 

289619 PLYNLIMON CWM-BIGA, QUARRY 

289541 CAFARTHA, WALL 

289703 FOEL ISAF, WALL 

289714 NANT CERRIGALEDION, WALL II 

289717 NANT CERRIGALEDION, WALL I 

66


Site Type 

289786 CARN BIGA, WALL 


WATER PIPE 2 

WEATHER 1 

STATION 

WHEEL PIT 2 

289649 BUGEILYN, PIPE 

289759 HENGWM, WATER PIPE 

289684 BLAEN HAFREN, WEATHER STATION 

289528 CAFARTHA, WHEEL PIT II 

289535 CAFARTHA, WHEEL PIT I 

67


Appendix B - Period Summary 

Period Number NPRN Site Name 

Prehistoric 1 

Bronze Age 29 

Bronze Age? 7 







III 













IV 


VI 












CEMETERY 


275967 HUT CIRCLE SETTLEMENT BELOW 

FOEL ISAF, BUGEILYN 

289618 ESGAIR GREOLEN, MOUND 






68



Medieval?;Post 9 

Medieval 









Medieval?;Post 

Medieval c 

Post-Medieval 151 


306327 NANT DDU MINE, LEAD 

MINE;CAFARTHA MINE, LEAD MINE 

































69



Post-Medieval contd 289502 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH I 





















289556 BANC BUGEILYN, PROSPECTING 

TRENCH XV 




TRENCH XIV 

289560 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING 

TRENCH I 


TRENCH V 


TRENCH IV 


TRENCH III 


TRENCH II 

289565 BRYN YR WYN, PEAT CUTTING I 






TRENCH XIII 


TRENCH VII 


TRENCH I 

70




TRENCH II 


TRENCH III 


TRENCH IV 


TRENCH XII 


TRENCH XVI 


TRENCH VI 


TRENCH X 


TRENCH VIII 


TRENCH IX 


TRENCH XI 



TRENCH V 


















71



Post-Medieval contd 



STONE 



STONE III 


STONE II 


STONE 




















289732 GELLIGOGAU, PROSPECTING 

TRENCH 







289678 CARN HYDDGEN, PROSPECTING 

TRENCH I 


TRENCH II 


TRENCH III 






72






289771 BUGEILYN, ENCLOSURE 









Post-Medieval? 31 























289739 CRAIG YR EGLWYS, SHELTER 







STRUCTURE 




73



Post 13 

Medieval?;Modern 




289640 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, 

SHELTER I 


SHELTER II 





SHELTER III 


SHELTER IV 




Modern 20 





















General 4 





74



Unknown 28 


289551 CERRIG BRITHION, CAIRN 










SPREAD 















289673 CARN HYDDGEN, CIRCULAR 

STRUCTURE 



75


Appendix C – Contour Summary 

Contour Band Number NPRN Site Name 

350m to 399m 13 

400m to 449m 48 

289561 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH V 

289562 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH IV 

289563 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH III 

289564 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH II 































289560 AFON LLWYD, PROSPECTING TRENCH I 


















76



400m to 449m contd 289739 CRAIG YR EGLWYS, SHELTER 


TRENCH I 


TRENCH II 


TRENCH III 


STRUCTURE 






450m to 499m 149 


306327 NANT DDU MINE, LEAD MINE; 

CAFARTHA MINE, LEAD MINE 

275967 HUT CIRCLE SETTLEMENT BELOW 

FOEL ISAF, BUGEILYN 



















289502 CAFARTHA, PROSPECTING TRENCH I 














TRENCH XV 




TRENCH XIV 

77



450m to 499m contd 289565 BRYN YR WYN, PEAT CUTTING I 






TRENCH XIII 


TRENCH VII 


TRENCH I 


TRENCH II 


TRENCH III 


TRENCH IV 


TRENCH XII 


TRENCH XVI 


TRENCH VI 


TRENCH X 


TRENCH VIII 


TRENCH IX 


TRENCH XI 



TRENCH V 

























78



450m to 499m contd 289618 ESGAIR GREOLEN, MOUND 





























289732 GELLIGOGAU, PROSPECTING TRENCH 






























79



450m to 499m contd 289771 BUGEILYN, ENCLOSURE 









500m to 549m 20 



500m to 549m contd 289551 CERRIG BRITHION, CAIRN 













289673 CARN HYDDGEN, CIRCULAR 

STRUCTURE 





550m to 599m 18 



















80



600m to 649m 29 













STONE 



















650m to 699m 2 

700m to 749m 14 



STONE III 


304831 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN III 



STONE II 


STONE I 

289638 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN IV 


SPREAD 

289640 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, SHELTER I 

289641 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, CAIRN VI 


289644 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, SHELTER II 

289767 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, SHELTER III 

289768 PEN PUMLUMON ARWYSTLI, SHELTER IV 


CEMETERY 

81


Appendix D - <strong>Uplands</strong> <strong>Initiative</strong> Aerial Photo Mapping <strong>Plynlimon</strong> <strong>Glaslyn</strong> South 

Temporary ID number: 

1 NPRN: 

Initial Interpretation: PEAT CUTTING identified from RAF vertical AP 541/59 - 4014 

Field Interpretation: 

Natural feature 


2 NPRN: 





3 NPRN: 





4 NPRN: 289548 



PEAT CUTTING, but smaller than shown on AP mapping 


5 NPRN: 



No feature seen on the ground 


6 NPRN: 289527 

Initial Interpretation: LINEAR FEATURE identified from RAF vertical AP 541/59 - 4014 


FLAT ROD GULLY 


7 NPRN: 



Nothing seen on the ground 


8 NPRN: 


82





9 NPRN: 





10 NPRN: 





11 NPRN: 

Initial Interpretation: BANK identified from RAF vertical AP 541/59 - 3095 


Natural feature - drainage feature 


12 NPRN: 



No feature seen on ground 


13 NPRN: 





14 NPRN: 

Initial Interpretation: PEAT CUTTING identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 86 247 - 

518 




15 NPRN: 


518 




16 NPRN: 

83



518 




17 NPRN: 


518 




18 NPRN: 


518 




19 NPRN: 


518 




20 NPRN: 


518 




21 NPRN: 


518 




22 NPRN: 


518 




23 NPRN: 

84



518 




24 NPRN: 


518 




25 NPRN: 


518 


Erosional feature 


26 NPRN: 


518 




27 NPRN: 


518 




28 NPRN: 


518 




29 NPRN: 


518 




30 NPRN: 

85



518 




31 NPRN: 


518 




32 NPRN: 

Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 94 349 - 014 


TRACKWAY still in use 


33 NPRN: 

Initial Interpretation: LINEAR FEATURE identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 94 

349 - 014 




34 NPRN: 



No peat cutting seen on the ground, lot of erosion on ground 


35 NPRN: 





36 NPRN: 





37 NPRN: 



Not a peat cutting 

86



38 NPRN: 289557 

Initial Interpretation: QUARRY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 96 226 - 034 


QUARRY 


39 NPRN: 





40 NPRN: 



PEAT CUTTING identified within this area, but not as extensive as 

shown on AP mapping 


41 NPRN: 


034 


Not a peat cutting - natural feature 


42 NPRN: 


034 


Natural shrinkage and erosion 


43 NPRN: 


034 


Natural shrinkage and erosion 


44 NPRN: 


034 

Field Interpretation: The slight dip on the stream side of BANK NPRN 289747 

87



45 NPRN: 


039 


Drainage features 


46 NPRN: 


039 




47 NPRN: 


039 




48 NPRN: 


039 




49 NPRN: 


039 




50 NPRN: 


034 




51 NPRN: 


034 



88



52 NPRN: 


039 


Erosional features present 


53 NPRN: 


039 




54 NPRN: 


039 




55 NPRN: 


039 




56 NPRN: 


039 




57 NPRN: 


039 




58 NPRN: 


039 



89



59 NPRN: 


039 




60 NPRN: 


039 




61 NPRN: 


226 - 039 


SLUICE 


62 NPRN: 


039 




63 NPRN: 


039 




64 NPRN: 



Possible peat cutting, visible on the ground from northern side of the valley 


65 NPRN: 



Possible peat cutting, visible on the ground from northern side of the valley 


66 NPRN: 

90



226 - 039 




67 NPRN: 


226 - 039 




68 NPRN: 


039 




69 NPRN: 


039 




70 NPRN: 


039 




71 NPRN: 


039 




72 NPRN: 


039 



91

Uplands Initiative Plynlimon Glaslyn - Royal Commission on the ...

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