Beddarthur

Beddarthur

This Neolithic ovoid stone setting known as Beddarthur (Arthur’s Grave) is situated immediately beneath Carn Bica (SN 129325), roughly between Carn Sian and Carn Menyn on Mynydd Preseli.

Although full photographic horizon panoramas were taken on site during the pilot study, these will have to wait until the full Landscape & Perception project is funded and in operation to be fully analysed. But what is immediately apparent is that Beddarthur dramatically overlooks the Carn Menyn outcrops, probably the main source of the Stonehenge bluestones.

The site was briefly tested for acoustics but none of the set stones displayed any clear ringing qualities.


Carn Bica

This small carn overlooks Beddarthur, and has fine views eastwards to Carn Menyn beyond. Because of showery conditions and time/daylight considerations, we were unable to fully explore the carn acoustically during the pilot study, but we gained the impression that there were probably a number of lithophones contained within the outcrop (was this the reason the Neolithic peoples built a monument at the foot of it?). We noted in particular one large rock on the eastern side of the carn, directly overlooking Beddarthur, and, beyond, Carn Menyn. When struck with a hammerstone, it issues tones reminiscent of a gong mixed with a tin drum. When the full Landscape & Perception project is fully funded and operational, we will conduct a thorough acoustic investigation of Carn Bica.


Carn Sian

Carn Bica and Beddarthur are on the eastern flanks of Carn Sian, the summit of which provides fine vistas eastwards over Carn Menyn and beyond.

fig.1 - Looking eastwards towards the Carn Menyn outcrops (middle distance, right) from Beddarthur (foreground).

fig.2 & 3 - Part of Beddarthur from the east

fig.4 - Looking across Beddarthur from the southeast towards Carn Bica, on skyline

fig.5 - Part of Carn Bica: the lithophone is the large lozenge-shaped rock in the centre of the picture







fig.6 - Views from the summit of Carn Sian towards the ridge (middle distance) that is topped by the outcrops of Carn Menyn.

fig.7 - Looking from Carn Sian, the outcrops of Carn Menyn are spotlighted by the sun’s rays.

fig.8 - Looking northeast from Carn Sian summit, with Carn Bica and Carn Breseb on illuminated middle distance ridge.

fig.9 - Looking northeast from Carn Sian summit, with Carn Bica and Carn Breseb on illuminated middle distance ridge.