Mynydd Llangynidr, Brecknockshire - Royal Commission on the ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

<strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong> Upland Survey UIP081 Report Version: Final Produced for RCAHMW Breakdown by Form Form Count As % total Earthwork 251 38.0 Documents 240 36.4 Other structure 125 18.9 Ruin 31 4.7 Complex 6 0.9 Building 3 0.5 Landform 2 0.3 Wreck 2 0.3 Page 11 \\Harappa\projects\UIP081 <strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong>\Reporting\Draft Final\AP UIP081 <strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong> report (Draft Final).doc Copyright ArchaeoPhysica Ltd. 10/02/2009
<strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong> Upland Survey UIP081 Report Version: Final Produced for RCAHMW 5 Discussion Survey Coverage 5.1 All the area originally allocated was covered. Coverage rates varied depending on terrain which varied from pasture to steep rocky slopes and heather-topped peat. Poor weather on some days also slowed progress as would be expected in this sort of environment. 5.2 The partly-eroded peat deposits and vegetation may have masked features. However, the peat was sufficiently deep to be ancient in its own right and therefore has significant palaeoenvironmental potential, especially in the southern part of the area (e.g. Pen March). Significant discoveries Land usage 5.3 The dominant current land use is sheep grazing, shooting and open heath land. There are grouse on the mountain tops and shooting butts were frequently observed. Some of the lower slopes of the open mountain side, particularly west of Cefn yr Ystrad had clearance cairns indicating that the land was once improved and has since been abandoned. There were a handful of improved fields and a small amount of woodland around the edges of in the survey area too. Settlements 5.4 The most widespread settlement was recorded at the bottom of the slopes to the south of <strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong> at SO 31400 16500 and SO 14800 16100, a sheltered valley above a large stream, on the east and west sides of forestry. Another similar settlement was also recorded at the source of the stream on the north-facing slope of Carn Caws It comprised several long houses and huts and perhaps represents several periods of occupation, the earliest perhaps being medieval. 5.5 Shepherd’s huts were usually found close to sheepfolds or enclosures, although some were found in isolation. Huts were occasionally found within or adjacent to quarries as well, or close to limekiln activity. 5.6 Prehistoric settlement included hut circles on the upper south-facing slope of Waun Rydd valley, on the eastern side of a stream, though these were not the only examples. Prehistoric occupation of the area was also indicated by the presence of cairns. Large cairns were located on the summit of Carn Caws, <strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong> and Cefn yr Ystrad and these are sufficiently large to have been exploited later on as shelters, with hollows being dug into the centre. A similar large and mutilated cairn was located on the ridge to the south of Cwm Nant-y-fedw at SO 20119 26071. Examples of low barrows were recorded on <strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong> and Waun Rydd, with some examples heavily overgrown and turfed over. Quarrying 5.7 Areas of quarrying were recorded throughout the survey area and at all heights, but more so towards the tops of the ridges, where natural limestone rock outcrops. The form of quarrying was mostly scoops cut laterally into the outcrop, with subterranean quarrying absent in the survey area. There were several disused modern quarries around the edges of the survey area, demonstrating the industrial heritage of the area. Most quarries recorded were undateable, but seem to relate to post-medieval activity. The larger complexes, sometimes a hundred metres across, were often located close together to exploit a particular section of rock and were accompanied by tracks and buildings. A good example of this is around Blaen Onneu at SO 15500 16800, where several widespread areas of quarrying occupy the same ridge, forming prominent landscape features. Page 12 \\Harappa\projects\UIP081 <strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong>\Reporting\Draft Final\AP UIP081 <strong>Mynydd</strong> <strong>Llangynidr</strong> report (Draft Final).doc Copyright ArchaeoPhysica Ltd. 10/02/2009
Page 1 and 2: Mynydd Lla
Page 15: Mynydd Lla

Mynydd Llangynidr, Brecknockshire - Royal Commission on the ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?