View from the north
A single stone row measuring 3.8m long, including three unevenly sized stones situated on a small knoll close to a pair of stone circles and a cairn. The largest stone is now recumbent and denotes the eastern end. The row is orientated ENE to WSW and commands dramatic views of the Brecon Becons. A restricted view of Pen y Fan may be of significance.
Location
| Wales Powys Brecon Beacons SN 81763 25873 Lat 51.918787 Long -3.7206135 |
Map showing the location of Nant Tarw stone row.
Simplified plan of the Nant Tarw ritual complex (Source: Google Earth).
Characteristics
| Type: Single | Length: 3.8m |
| No. of stones: 3 | Size of stones: Small, medium and large |
| Orientation: 67.5° | Altitude: 355m |
| Upper end: – | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : | Sea View: No |
| Context: Stone circles and cairns | |
| Notes: | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: National Park |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: No. But adjacent to BR07. |
Identification
Category: Plausible. No doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretation of this row.
Typology
This stone row is of Type S3. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
The stone alignment stands on top of a small knoll. View from west.
Small and medium sized stones together with a large fallen slab. View from north west (Scale 1m). Note Pen y Fan on the far skyline framed by Foel Darw and Garn Las.
Pen y Fan framed by Foel Darw and Garn Las. This particular view may have contributed to the siting of the row and nearby stones circles.
This row is very similar in character and form to the nearby Maen Mawr alignment. View from north (Scale 1m).
Looking south west along the row (scale 1m).
View from south (Scale 1m).
View from north (Scale 1m). As at Maen Mawr the stones are placed in ascending order according to size. This arrangement also interestingly mimics the hills beyond.
View from the south (Scale 1m).
View from above and north east. The difference in stone size can be easily appreciated from this angle.
View from above and east (Scale 1m).
View from above south west (Scale 1m).
Access Information
Car parking is available at SN 81996 27149. From here take the track leading south to SN 82216 26547. Cross the wall via a stile and head across open moorland to the row. It is worth having a look at the stone circles a short distance to the south east of the row. A stream needs to be forded and wellingtons may be the best footwear for this one.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal Modern Antiquarian Coflein Archwilio
Other References
Burl, A., 1993, From Carnac to Callanish – The prehistoric rows and avenues of Britain, Ireland and Brittany, Yale University Press, New York and London, pg. 225.
Timeline
VISITED:- 2nd February 2016
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 27th January 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 15th March 2019
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 