In the remote valleys and hillsides of Wales lie stone
monuments, the legacy of a civilisation long gone. Most have lain undisturbed
for nearly 5,000 years ravaged by the wind and the rain, overgrown with moss
and lichen. The purpose of these monuments remains largely a mystery however
through the work of dedicated researchers such as A. & A. S. Thom and A. Burl a
picture is emerging of the function of these stone structures. Many of
the stone circles and standing stones or menhirs (from the welsh maen hir 'long stone') have alignements with
astronomical events such as the rising and setting of the sun, moon and the
brighter stars. These alignements also track the seasons, indicating mid-summer,
mid-winter and the equinoxes. These 'stone calenders' recorded events that probably had
a major significance to the peoples of that time. They could have indicated when
to plant crops, when to undertake religous ceremonies, even when to move south
to warmer regions with the coming of winter. In the Welsh language 'Maen (Meini)' is used
to describe large standing stones and 'Carreg (Cerrig)' is used to describe the smaller
stones often found in welsh stone rings. Both these words mean stone and are often interchanged.
I have spent many hours in the peace and tranquility of these remote sites recording both the geometry and undertaking photography
of these stone structures, often I have found arrangements and alignements
overlooked by previous researchers, these are recorded here. I hope you enjoy
these pages and someday maybe visit Wales to see these stone monuments for yourself.
STONE RINGS
Gors Fawr
Meini Gwyr
Cerrig Duon and Maen Mawr
Nant Tarw Group
Cerrig y Pigwn
Bedd Arthur
Grayhill
STONE ROWS AND MENHIRS
Maen Llia
Meini Meibion Arthur
Saith Maen (West)
Harold's Stones
Meini Llangynidr
Saith Maen (East)
BURIAL CHAMBERS
Tinkinswood
Parc le Breos
St Lythans
Maen Ceti
Carn Llechart
Garn Turne
Garn Wen
Gwal-y-Filiast
Links
All photographs are the copyright of
Dr Peter Hodges 1999,2000,2001 © and may not be used without permission.
This site is continually being updated so please visit again. Last update 16/7/01
