View from west (Scale 1m).
A probable single stone row measuring 13.7m long, including seven large-sized orthostats situated on a small east facing terrace. Five of the stones are upright, one is of Old Red Sandstone and the tallest is 1.7m high. The row is orientated NNE to SSW and stands close to a substantial shake hole. Doubts regarding identity hinge around its documented use as a sheepfold, a lack of prehistoric context and the fresh appearance of the stones.
Location
| Wales Powys Brecon Beacons SN 83306 15399 Lat 51.824984 Long -3.6946443 |
Map showing the location of Saith Maen NW stone row.
Characteristics
| Type: Single | Length: 13.7m |
| No. of stones: 7 | Size of stones: Only large |
| Orientation: 22.5° | Altitude: 351m |
| Upper end: – | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : | Sea View: No |
| Context: | |
| Notes: Whilst generally accepted as a prehistoric, doubts concerning it identity are explored in the Heritage Journal. | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: National Park |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: BR072 |
Identification
Category: Probable. This alignment of stones is most likely to be a stone row, but the close proximity of the stones to each other, their apparently unweathered character, the lack of a prehistoric context and documented use as a sheepfold do cast doubts on this interpretation.
Typology
This stone row is of Type S2. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
View from the south (Scale 1m).
All the stones are composed except of Carboniferous silicious grit except for the one standing beside the ranging rod which is of Old Red Sandstone. View from the west (Scale 1m).
Looking NNE along the row (Scale 1m).
View from the south.
View from the north west.
View from the south west (Scale 1m).
Access Information
Car parking is available at SN 84104 15231. Walk north along the public highway to SN 84017 15329. From here head west along a footpath to SH 65545 13823. Then head west to SN 83747 15410 and continue to follow the track westward to the stone row.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal Modern Antiquarian Coflein Archwilio Heritage Journal
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:- 21st July 2014
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 27th January 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 15th March 2019
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 