Llety'r Filliast

The Neolithic Heart of the Great Orme

Llety'r Filiast is an important archaeological, cultural, and historical site, 

prominently recognized as a Neolithic burial chamber located on the Great Orme, near Llandudno.

Visit Date: April 2024

Llety'r Filiast South View

Llety'r Filiast is classified as a Neolithic chambered cairn, or portal dolmen, which was commonly used during the Neolithic era, approximately between 6,000 and 4,500 years ago.

Click on any image to enlarge

The chamber itself measures about 2.1 meters long and 1.5 meters high, surrounded by the remains of a cairn that once covered it. Originally, this cairn was believed to be around 30 meters long and 10 meters wide, with a roughly egg-shaped form, though much of the stone has been removed over time. The space under the horizontal capstone likely contained the remains of significant community figures or family members, possibly cremated.

While it is unclear whether the chamber featured a visible entrance or was entirely enclosed, structures like this are thought to hold deeper symbolic meanings, possibly serving as "portals to another world" or relating to ancient creation myths.

The construction of elaborate burial chambers like Llety'r Filiast reflects a critical phase in human development—the Neolithic era. During this time, people transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled agricultural communities, enabling them to allocate resources to significant projects, such as building burial sites, as they were no longer solely focused on sourcing food.

A geophysical survey conducted by Jo Jones in 1996 at the "Cromlech Field," where Llety'r Filiast is situated, revealed traces of an outer ring ditch and potential postholes, indicating the presence of a henge monument associated with the site. Nearby finds include Romano-British ceramic material unearthed close to the chamber, suggesting later activities in the area.

Llety'r Filiast (Viewed from East)

Llety'r Filiast is located near the Great Orme, a limestone headland on the north coast of Wales, northwest of Llandudno. The Great Orme, referred to as Cyngreawdr Fynydd by the 12th-century poet Gwalchmai ap Meilyr, derives its English name from the Old Norse word for "sea serpent."

Llety'r Filiast (Viewed from the North)

Nearby are the Orme copper mines, discovered in 1987 during landscaping efforts on the Great Orme. These copper mines represent one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in recent history, dating back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age, and they have reshaped our understanding of the ancient people of Britain and their structured societies, well before the Roman invasion. While Llety'r Filiast predates these mines, it is also geographically close to other prehistoric structures, such as Neolithic roundhouses on the Great Orme. Local tradition suggests that a trackway from the mines may have passed by the cromlech, indicating that the dolmen might have served as a "guardian" of the mines' entrance. This site is part of a larger landscape rich in early human activity on the Great Orme, which includes evidence of Mesolithic flint tools and Neolithic implements found in a nearby valley.

Llety'r Filiast (Viewed from the west)

The name Llety'r Filiast translates to "The Lair of the Greyhound Bitch" or "Lodging of the Greyhound Bitch." This name is shared with other tombs across Wales, although no specific story survives to explain its significance for this particular site. "Filiast" is commonly interpreted as a reference to a female greyhound or grey-colored hound. Some theories connect these sites to the Celtic goddess Cerridwen, whose symbols included a "milast," a form she is believed to have taken during initiation rituals. Another interpretation links "milast" to Camulus (Mars), to whom greyhound bitches and horses were dedicated. Folklore also associates phantom guard dogs with "the bowels of the earth," drawing similarities to Cerberus guarding the underworld or to the "Bar Guest" of the Derbyshire Mines. This connection may provide insight into the name "Lair of the Greyhound Bitch," suggesting that such sites were viewed with a mix of awe and fear, relating to their mystical or protective associations with the underworld.

 

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SH 77216 82940 elevation 447

Additional information.

Visiting is easy. There is a small place to park at the side of the field (53.32897301962271, -3.844905483766489) but this is a small country lane really.

The most satisfying way to visit would be to take a ride on the Great Orme Tramway, (53.32727640960437, -3.835464572077922) which is a funicular railway. Get off at the halfway stage and you can walk to the site, however the terrain is quite steep.

There are lots of facilities in the Town.

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Harold's Stones

Harold's Stones

In the village of Trellech, three megaliths stand. The village likely got its name from these stones, translating to either 'village of stones' or 'three stones.' The name derives from 'tri' (Welsh for three) and 'llech' (meaning flat stone).

Visit Date January 2025

Harold's Stones : Trellech

These three large standing stones in a 12-metre alignment, all three are leaning at angles but it is unlikely that this is deliberate.

Harold's Stones : Trellech

Although a relatively small village in modern times, Trellech in Monmouthshire was one of the largest towns in Wales in the 13th century.

Harold's stones are in a 12-metre alignment with a possible fourth stone being robbed away or destroyed in the late 18th century. The stones are of a conglomerate rock that's known as pudding stone. All the stones lean at different angles with the tallest being over 4 metres in height. 

Harold's Stones : Trellech

A font in the local church has a carving of the stones with the stones numbered 8, 10 and 14 which is thought to be the height of each stone at that time.

Harold's Stones : Trellech

The precise reason for the erection of the stones is unknown however, they may have been for ritual, though an astronomical use is not out of the question.

The stones create an approximate line running between the north-east and south-west at an azimuth of about 229°, likely indicating the midwinter sunset, although the possibility of the midsummer sunrise cannot be dismissed due to the imprecise alignment today due to the movement.

Harold's Stones : Trellech

The central stone of the three has been dressed to smooth its surface and bears two large cup marks on its face.

Harold's Stones : Trellech

There is much folklore associated with the stones.

The origin of the name "Harold's Stones" remains a mystery. Local legend suggests that these stones were erected to commemorate the victory of the Saxon king Harold over the Britons. However, this theory is unlikely, as the stones date back at least 2,000 years before Harold's time. Another legend claims that they mark the location where three British chieftains fell in battle against Harold. Despite being associated with Harold's victory over the Britons, the stones are much older than that.

Click on any image for a larger version

As another story goes, Jack o'Kent, a giant, quarrelled with the Devil on Trellech Beacon, which is the hill located directly east of Trellech. The Devil challenged Jack to a throwing match. Jack threw first, but the Devil managed to throw his object a bit farther. However, Jack, probably with his eyes closed and one hand behind his back, threw just a bit farther than the Devil. In frustration, the Devil ran off.

The location of this event varies depending on who tells the story. Some versions claim that the competition took place on Sugar Loaf Mountain, while a third version cites Skirrid Fawr, also known as Holy Mountain, as the site of the contest.

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OS Grid Ref: SO 49927 05145 Elevation: 206 m 

Additional information.

Visiting is easy and there is a public car park close to the site (51.74405088914131, -2.7246217913570847) There is just a short walk along the road to the site however, this has no pavement so care will be needed. The site is marked with a monument sign.

There are no facilities at the site but there is a pub in the village and also you may be lucky enough to have tea in the village hall!

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Arthur's Stone

Like many prehistoric monuments in western England and Wales, 

this monument has been linked to King Arthur. 

According to the 13th-century legend, it was here that Arthur slew a giant, 

who left the impression of his elbows on one of the stones as he fell.

Others suggest the indentations were left by Arthur's 

knees or elbows as he knelt there to pray.

Visit Date January 2025

 

Arthur's Stone

The tomb dated around 3500 BC is much like many others of this type of structure often referred to as Chromlechs, Quoits or Dolmens and is made up of a large capstone perhaps weighing around 25 tons supported not by the more common 3 or 4 uprights but 9 uprights.

Click on any image for larger view

The entrance to the tomb is through a curved, 4.6 m (15 ft) long entrance passageway.

Arthur's Stone

This is not uncommon but seems to deviate from many of these types of tombs which would have a straight entrance-way.

Click on any image for larger view

The site would have been covered with a great mound of earth which has either been eroded over the centuries or exposed much earlier. Modern investigations had not been carried out on this structure until 2022/2023, when investigations led by the Universities of Manchester and Cardiff were carried out.

Arthur's Stone

It was found that it is likely the tomb has been altered since the original single burial chamber Dolmen. The original entrance would have been north-facing however it is now thought that the structure was later converted into a long cairn and the entrance to this new structure faced south.

More work may be done to confirm this.

Arthur's Stone possible original entrance

During these excavations near the long entrance, there was found evidence of a dry stone wall structure. This had been carefully constructed and was thought to have had some symbolic meaning, perhaps the stones were brought as some sort of memorial to the dead.

The curved passageway seems to be part of this later addition.

Arthur's Stone, Writing

As stated earlier this Neolithic monument known as Arthur’s Stone,  has long been linked to legend and literature however, if King Arthur had been at every location he is associated with he would have to have lived many lives.

Two other Arthurian structures on this blog can be found at 

https://davidsnarrative.blogspot.com/2022/10/coetan-arthur.html

and 

https://davidsnarrative.blogspot.com/2022/06/maen-ceti-arthurs-stone.html

Click on any image for larger view

These Arthurian giant-slaying escapades and the inspiring large Stone capstone or table here at this site is said to have been the inspiration on which the lion Aslan was sacrificed in C S Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. 

The site is now in the care of English Heritage

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52.08230962757643, -2.9953445186919994

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OS Grid Ref: SO 31887 43123 

Additional information.

Visiting is easy and is about 11 miles from Hereford along the A438 and B4352 (Pentre lane ) and then 3/4 of a mile along Arther's Stone Lane (this is the only narrow part.

There is parking for 3/4 cars in a lay-by right next to the site. There are no facilities.

I have been told that this site can get busy in the summer months.

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Trethevy Quoit

Known locally as "the giant's house".

Standing 9 feet (2.7 m) high, this magnificent 5000-year-old

ancient structure consists of Six standing stones capped by a large slab.

Visit Date March 2024

Trethevy Quoit

Walking up to this structure, it is in a field close to some modern houses you do not get a feel of the size of this structure but as you approach the magnificence of this site overwhelms you.

Click on any image to enlarge

There are many of these burial sites in the UK and Cornwall has a large number of them.

Like many other portal structures, Trethevy Quoit would have been originally covered by a mound.

In the 19th century, William Copeland Borlase studied the site and made drawings of it.

A later investigation of the remnants suggests a mound diameter of almost 6.5 metres.

It is impossible to tell if stones have been removed from the site but the remaining seven stones a and an estimated 10.5-ton cover slab were inside the mound.

Trethevy Quoit

There are some unusual aspects of Trethevy Quoit, not only does it have 6 supporting stones forming its internal chamber, but it also has an antechamber at the 'front'. The only other Cornish quoit to boast two chambers is Lanyon Quoit.

Particularly interesting is the circular hole cut in the highermost corner of the capstone. Speculation has informed us that the hole could have been used for astronomy. The movement and settling over the millennia that have passed means it is impossible to prove, but it is peculiar and thought to be unique to this megalithic site.

Click on any image to enlarge

The massive capstone sits at a steep angle, and this is unlikely if this was the capstone's original position. At the lower side of the capstone, five small hollows can be found.

The entrance stone at the front in most portal structures can't be moved. however, Trevethy Quoit is a rare exception here, because a small rectangular stone moving at the bottom right of the front allows access to the chamber.

There is a rectangular cut-out at the side of the upright stone that forms the front of the main chamber it is unclear if this is a later modification of if it was used and an entrance this is not seen on any other Cornish sites.

Trethevy Quoit

Trethevy Quoit was first mentioned in 1584 by John Norden, in a topographical and historical account of Britain.

He described it as “A little howse raised of mightie stones, standing on a little hill within a fielde”.

Trethevy Quoit

In Cornish mythology, the monument is known as the Giant’s House and was believed to have been created by this fabled race.

It also like many other structures in Cornwall and indeed Wales it has links with King Arthur legend and is believed to have been magically built by Merlin.

Additional information:-

A Cromlech or Dolmen is an ancient underground tomb typically built with several large upright stones and a capstone on top. In its day, the whole thing would have been covered by a mound of earth. In some parts of the UK especially in Cornwall these structures are called Quoits.

Most date from the Late Neolithic period (4000–2000 BC)

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50.493185727515105, -4.455456201119047

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SX 25936 68813 : Altitude:725 ft

Additional information.

Visiting is fairly easy although the roads become just lanes for some of the way and parking is a small car park for about three cars (50.493164985542144, -4.454975466726607) and a short walk into the adjacent field.
The approach is via the B3254 and turn off towards the village of Darite. On this road you will see the turn off for the quoit.










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Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial Chamber

Neolithic burial sites can be found all over Wales, the UK and across Europe.

I have visited many of these sites and have posted information on them here such as

Maen Ceti (Arthur's Stone)   St Lythans Dolmen  Carreg Samson and Coetan Arthur

What makes the site at Duffryn Ardudwy different is that there are two tombs close together.

Visit Date May 2023

Click on any image to enlarge.

The two dolmens are just 30 feet apart within a much bigger mound.

The chambers were built sometime between 4000-2000 BC, probably as a communal burial site. The entire monument was probably originally covered by a mound of small stones.

Click on any image to enlarge

The investigation following the excavation seems to explain that there had been two different periods of construction at the site.

The Western Dolmen

First, the smaller, western, dolmen had been put up and surrounded by an oval cairn.

The Eastern Dolmen

Sometime later, a larger Eastern tomb was constructed with a trapezial design which was needed to combine both tombs.

Click on any image to enlarge

Today the site consists of an elongated oval, running up a slight slope, with one large chamber at the top eastern end of the slope and a smaller chamber beneath the branches of a tree at the lower western end. Beside the upper chamber is a solitary standing stone.

Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial Chamber

The site was excavated in 1961-2 by T.G.E. Powell. Although the tomb had been rifled, at the smaller dolmen a pit containing fragments of five Neolithic pottery vessels was found sealed by the cairn in front of the tomb.

This tomb has a small prehistoric cup-mark carved on one of its portal stones.

The Eastern Tomb

The second, larger megalithic tomb was built to the east and was set within a large, rectangular cairn which incorporated the earlier tomb. This later tomb produced both Neolithic and Bronze Age pottery.

Other finds included a fine, broken, stone pendant.

It was found necessary in 1961-62 to provide additional support for the great roofing stone on the eastern dolmen and a buttress was built on either side of the chamber for this purpose.

The Western Tomb

There is little doubt that the two tombs were built several generations apart.

Stones from this site have been used in the past as building materials and this is often the case at these sites but there is still a vast amount of stones around the site.

Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial Chamber

In his book, 'Guide to Ancient Britain' Bill Anderton writes that: “As part of an outbreak of light phenomena, columns of light were seen issuing from the ground here in 1905. 

The site stands on the Morchras geological fault.

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52.78462455046947, -4.094379021652469

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Dyffryn Ardudwy Burial Chamber

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OS Details: -
SH 58852 22835L : Altitude:141 ft

Additional information.

Visiting is very easy but parking close is not so.
First there is Station road parking (52.78834904037549, -4.097879713123781) this will be the closest and it is just a 500 metre walk back to the main road and down to the school where the marked path alongside the school takes you to the site.
Alternatively park opposite the community centre (52.78834904037549, -4.097879713123781) and the walk is just an additional 200 metres and you may then visit the friendly café in the community centre. Good coffee and a warm welcome.

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