Uplands Initiative
Great Rhos Archaeological Survey
Report by: Trysor
For: The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
March 2008
Uplands Initiative
Great Rhos Archaeological Survey
By
Jenny Hall, MIFA & Paul Sambrook Trysor
Trysor Project No. 2008/113
For: The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
Royal Commission Ref. No. RCS 1/2/65
March 2008
Cover photograph: The northern end of Harley Dingle, at the heart of the Great Rhos study area, viewed from the east. CONTENTS
1.1 Crynodeb 3
1.2. Summary 4
1.3 Introduction 5 Extent of area covered in km2 Previous Fieldwork Methodology
2. Analysis of Sites recorded in the Survey Area 11 Number of sites Summary of sites by Broad Class Summary of sites by Period Summary of sites by Type Summary of sites by Altitude Significant new sites
3. Value of AP mapping to the field project 20
4 Great Rhos History and Archaeology 22
4.1 Characteristics and comparisons 22
4.2 Prehistory 24 Evidence in adjacent areas Bronze Age funerary and ritual monuments Significance of the prehistoric archaeology
4.3 Early Medieval 26 Shepherd’s Well Dyke
4.4 Post Medieval Settlement & Farming 27 Enclosure and Cultivation The significance of Post Medieval settlement & Farming
4.5 Post Medieval Industries 29 Quarrying Peat Cutting Radnor Range Leisure The significance of the Industrial Sites
5 Conclusions 34
6 Sources 35
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7 Recommendations 37 Detailed site analysis and buildings survey Sites for inclusion on Ordnance Survey mapping Sites for pollen analysis and other environmental sampling
8 Site Gazetteer 39
Appendix A – Site Type Summary 65 Appendix B – Period Summary 67 Appendix C – Contour Summary 69 Appendix D - Uplands Initiative Air Photo Mapping Great Rhos 71
Figures
Figure 1: Location of Study area 6 Figure 2: Study area showing areas not covered by transects 9 Figure 3: Distribution of sites by Broad Class 12 Figure 4: Distribution of sites by Period 14 Figure 5: Distribution of sites by Altitude 18 Figure 6: Features plotted by the RCAHMW from aerial photographs 21
Tables
Table 1: Broad Class 11 Table 2: Sites by Period 13 Table 3: Sites by Type 15 Table 4: Sites by contour band 16 Table 5: Bronze Age funerary monuments 24
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1.1 Crynodeb
Yn ystod haf 2007, cyflawnwyd arolwg archaeolegol manwl o ardal astudiaeth Great Rhos gan gwmni Trysor. Gwnaed y gwaith fel rhan o Fenter Uwchdiroedd y Comisiwn Brenhinol ar Henebion yng Nghymru. Gorwedd ardal yr astudiaeth yng nghanol Fforest Clud (Fforest Maesyfed), ychydig i’r gogledd o fwrdeistref hanesyddol Maesyfed Newydd (Trefaesyfed gynt). Mynydd Great Rhos, sy’n cyrraedd 660m, yw’r man uchaf o fewn y Fforest Clud.
Ardal astudiaeth cymharol fechan yw Great Rhos, sy’n mesur tua 9 cilomedr sgwâr yn unig. Cynhwysir rhyw 5.5 cilomedr sgwâr o fewn ardal yr arolwg maes, gyda’r prif ffocws ar y tir uchel, lle ceir porfeydd mynyddig heb eu gwella, gan fwyaf. Roedd tua 5.5 cilomedr sgwâr arall yn syrthio o fewn ardal maes saethu’r “Radnor Range”, safle sydd ym meddiant cwmni preifat lle gwneir arbrofion ar fwledi. Nid oedd modd cael mynediad i diroedd y maes saethu oherwydd cyfyngderau a roddwyd mewn lle yn 2006. Fel canlyniad, arolwg pen fwrdd yn unig a wnaed o’r ardal honno.
Dim ond 56 o safleoedd archaeolegol a gofnodwyd yn yr ardal astudiaeth gan y gwaith maes a’r arolwg pen fwrdd, y rhan fwyaf ohonynt yn safleoedd digon dinod. Yn rhyfedd iawn, ychydig iawn o enghreifftiau o’r mathau o safleoedd archaeolegol mwyaf cyffredin ym mynyddoedd y Canolbarth a welwyd. Dwy garnedd yn dyddio i Oes yr Efydd ac un clawdd sy’n dyddio i’r Oesoedd Tywyll, o bosib, oedd y safleoedd pwysicaf a nodwyd yn yr ardal.
Roedd y rhan fwyaf o’r safleoedd a gofnodwyd yn dyddio i’r cyfnodau ôl-ganoloesol neu fodern a ni chyfrir hwy i fod o bwys mawr. Maent yn cynnwys nifer o safleoedd sy’n gysylltiedig â’r maes saethu ei hunan. Mae prinder o safleoedd archaeolegol, yn enwedig safleoedd anheddu, yn hynod ddiddorol. Fe all hyn fod yn ganlyniad i’r ffaith mai tiroedd hela brenhinol oedd y fforest yn ystod y canol oesoedd, statws fyddai wedi bod yn rhwystr i anheddu a bob math o weithgareddau eraill yn yr ardal.
Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r dirwedd o few ardal yr astudiaeth yn dir mynyddig, garw, ac wedi derbyn statws Safle o Ddiddordeb Gwyddonol Arbennig oherwydd amrywiaeth a chyfoeth ei bywyd gwyllt a phlanhigion, yn enwedig ei adar. Yn ddi-os, mae’r bryniau o gwmpas Great Rhos, llawer ohonynt yn dir comin cofrestredig, wedi cael eu defnyddio fel porfeydd mynyddig ers canrifoedd, gan ffermydd sy’n gorwedd yn y cymoedd cyfagos.
Heddiw, mae ardal Great Rhos yn boblogaidd iawn gyda cherddwyr am ei fod yn cynnig lle ardderchog i gerdded, gyda golygfeydd arbennig ar draws tirwedd drawiadol y Fforest Clud a rhannau mawr o’r Canolbarth.
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1.2 Summary
An archaeological field survey of the Great Rhos study area was undertaken by Trysor during the summer of 2007, grant aided as part of the RCAHMW's Uplands Initiative project. The area is found at the heart of the Radnor Forest, of which the Great Rhos summit, at 660m, is the highest point. The study area lies just to the north of the historic settlement of New Radnor.
Great Rhos was a small study area, only 9km2 in total. Some 5.5k m2 of the area was included in the field survey. This focussed on the highest ground, which was predominantly unimproved mountain pasture. A further 3.5k m2 fell within the Radnor Range, a private ammunition testing complex, which was not accessible due to restrictions put in place during 2006. A desktop survey was undertaken of this area.
Fieldwork and desktop research identified only 56 archaeological sites and features within the study area, most of which were of minor importance. Remarkably there are few of the site types commonly encountered in the mid-Wales uplands. Two Bronze Age round barrows and one possible Early Medieval dyke were the most significant sites within the area.
Most of the features recorded were minor in nature and of post medieval or modern date. These included many features associated with the Radnor Testing Range. However, this relative absence of archaeology, particularly settlement evidence, is in itself interesting. It may in part be explained by the former status of the area as a royal hunting forest during medieval times, which must have restricted activity within the area to some extent.
Most of the landscape within the area is now rough, hill pasture, a large part of which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rich flora and fauna, particularly its bird-life. Clearly, the hills around Great Rhos, much of which is still registered common land, have been used as upland pasture throughout recent centuries, by farms located in adjacent valleys.
Today, Great Rhos is popular with walkers as it offers exhilarating walks and spectacular views across the dramatic landscape of the Radnor Forest and mid-Wales.
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1.3 Introduction.
This field project and related desktop research was undertaken by Trysor during 2007- 2008, grant-aided by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW).
Desktop research was undertaken during May and June 2007, and the fieldwork was carried out over 4 days in June to August 2007. The final report was compiled during March 2008.
The area was designated as “Great Rhos” and was focused on a small upland block that lies to the northwest of New Radnor. This forms part of the larger upland block encompassed by the boundaries of the medieval chase of the Forest of Radnor, the heart of which is survives as the Radnor Forest.
The study area includes the high ground to the north, east and west of the deep valley of Harley Dingle. Altitude ranged from just under 300m on the floor of Harley Dingle, to 660m on Great Rhos, to the northwest of the valley, and 650m on the Black Mixen, to the northeast (see Figure 1).
Harley Dingle was excluded from the fieldwork element of the project, but covered by desktop research.
Plate 1: Harley Dingle viewed from the north
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Figure 1: Location of study area
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1.3.1 Extent of area covered in km2
The extent of the Great Rhos study area is 9.02km2. The core of the area, 3.48km2 was not accessible as it is a private firing range. The remaining area, 5.54 km2 was open access under the CROW Act 2000.
Most parts of the study area were accessible for field survey as there were no forests, bogs or bodies of water of significance within the area. Only the steep slopes at the head of Harley Dingle were impossible to walk.
1.3.2 Previous Fieldwork
Some archaeological fieldwork had been carried out in the survey area prior to this project which had informed the database records of the NMR and HER. The earliest identified fieldwork was undertaken by the RCAHM prior to 1913, when a series of site visits were made during the preparation of the Inventory of Ancient Monuments for Radnorshire (RCAHM, 1913).
CPAT have undertaken earlier Upland Initiative fieldwork in the areas adjacent to the Great Rhos study area (Owen, 1992). This work covered Whimble, Whinyard Rocks and Bache hills to the east of the 2007 study area. To the west of Great Rhos some 12km2 of mostly open moorland was also surveyed. CPAT did not carry out any fieldwork between these two areas, due to the presence of the Radnor firing range in Harley Dingle, which was then in the ownership of the ammunition manufacturer I.M.I (Kynoch) Ltd.
In 2000-2001, CPAT also carried out a survey of the Bronze Age monuments of the part of the study area as part of the Cadw grant-aided Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Monuments Project (CPAT, 2001).
1.3.3 Methodology
Desktop Research Digital data from the databases maintained by the National Monuments Record (NMR), held by the RCAHMW, and the Powys Historic Environment Record (held by CPAT) were the starting point for the desktop research undertaken prior to the fieldwork. The information on 1st, 2nd and 1953 edition Ordnance Survey maps was interpreted and records created for sites of interest within the scope of the project. The relevant parish tithe and estate maps held by the National Library of Wales were also consulted. Documentary records in the NMR and aerial photographs were also studied.
The results from the desktop research were entered into a Microsoft Access 2003 database, constructed according to the guidelines given in the Revised Data Standard for Upland Survey. The material included in this database is reproduced in the site gazetteer of this report.
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Fieldwork
Access was possible from public roads to the east and west of the study area. Car parking facilities near the Water-break-its-neck waterfall, to the west of Fron Hill, were convenient for footpath access to the western side of the study area. Car parking was also available at the eastern side of the study area, via a minor road out of New Radnor village to the forest plantation on the southern side of the Whimble hill. This gave access to the eastern part of the study area via footpaths and forest roads, the latter being used with the permission of the Forestry Commissions’ Llanymddyfri District.
The fieldwork element of the project achieved an average coverage rate of 1.5km2 per day. 30m and 50m transects were used according to the nature of the terrain (wider transects favoured on steeper slopes). There were very few areas where transect walking could not be employed, but the value of field-walking was impaired do some degree by the presence of thick heather, bilberry or bracken growth, although this was not a serious barrier to progress.
Open access was possible to the high ground surrounding Harley Dingle. However, the presence of the bullet testing range on the valley floor has lead to the withdrawal of access rights within Harley Dingle. This exclusion area extends to the top of the valley slope on each side and at the head of the valley, where warning signs and red flags mark the limits of the range. The area defined as the Radnor Range on Figure 2 was therefore subject to desktop survey only, including AP mapping, and not included in fieldwork.
Features were recorded on pro-forma sheets derived from the database. This had a two-fold benefit: ensuring previously recorded information was readily available in the field and that standard recording of features was undertaken. The pro-formas had space for field sketches which were made where appropriate. The pro-forma sheets have been deposited with the RCAHMW as part of the project archive. Digital photographs were taken where appropriate and these have also been included in the project archive as TIFF files.
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Figure 2: Study area showing areas not covered by transects
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Plate 2: Heather moorland atop Fron Hill. The hills to the east are, from left to right, Great Creigiau, Whinyard Rocks and the Whimble.
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2. Analysis of Sites recorded in the Survey Area
2.1 Number of sites
Prior to this survey, only 3 archaeological sites were recorded within the survey area in the RCAHMW’s National Monuments Record database. Following the field survey there were a total of 56 sites recorded within the study area, representing an increase of 1866%. (Another site, NPRN 98460, was included in the dataset from RCAHMW but did not seem to relate to the survey area, although the NGR put it within it).
There were also 12 sites recorded in the Clwyd/Powys regional Historic Environment Record (HER).1 These sites have been re-evaluated in the field and new NMR records created in most cases. However, some of the sites in the HER could not be located, or the records were found to be erroneous, and these have not been included in the project database. Therefore there will not be a direct correlation between the NMR records and those found in the regional HER.
Location maps for all sites recorded by the project can be found preceding the Site Gazetteer at the end of this report.
2.2 Summary of sites by Broad Class The 56 sites recorded by the project are shown categorised by their Broad Class2 in Table 1 and Figure 3.
Broad Class Number of Sites Includes Agriculture and Subsistence 3 Farmstead, Field Civil 2 Triangulation Point Communications 1 Transmitter Site Defence 1 Dyke (Defence) Gardens Parks and Urban 2 Flagpole Spaces Industrial 14 Electricity Pole, Peat Cutting?, Quarry, Testing Range Monument
Table 1: Broad Class
1 Maintained by the Clwyd/Powys Archaeological Trust. 2 Broad Class is used as defined by English Heritage in the monuments thesaurus, http://thesaurus.english-heritage.org.uk 11
Great Rhos has few sites of archaeological significance and this is reflected in the breakdown of sites by Broad Class.
Table 1 shows that of the 56 sites and features recorded, only two (3.5%) are Religious Ritual and Funerary sites. A further three are Agriculture & Subsistence sites (5.3%) and there is a single Defensive site (1.75%).
25% are Industrial features, mostly such as minor quarries. 23% of sites are classed as Monument
Figure 3: Distribution of sites by Broad Class 12
2.3 Summary of sites by Period
Figure 4 shows that most of the 56 sites recorded in the study area date to the post medieval and modern periods. 15 sites (27%) are attributed to the post medieval, and a further 10 (18%) thought to be potentially or probably post medieval. This undoubtedly relates to an increase in settlement and associated agricultural activity in the Radnor Forest hills during the post medieval period. A further 18 sites (32%) are likely to be of post medieval or modern date.
In total, therefore, 77% of the sites recorded in Great Rhos are thought to be of post medieval and modern date. Most of these are related to land management activity, as well as the Radnor firing range and Black Mixen transmitter.
Unusually, no sites were thought to date to the medieval period. The absence of settlement sites such as platforms and long huts from the study area explains this, as they are generally thought to be of medieval or post medieval date. In 1992, CPAT recorded a number of platforms and small shelters or huts in the areas adjacent to the 2007 study area (Owen, 1992, 5). Therefore it appears that settlement did occur nearby, but not within the boundaries of the area covered by this report.
Only 2 Bronze Age funerary and ritual sites recorded, both of which are thought to be round barrows. Three other mounds recorded were thought not to be funerary monuments and have been ascribed General or Unknown dates. These were probably landforms caused by erosion of the peat on higher ground. Appendix B expands Table 2, giving the NPRN and name of the sites in each period.
Period No. of Sites Includes Prehistoric 1 Findspot Bronze Age 2 Round Barrow Post Medieval 15 Quarry, Farmstead, Trackway, Weir, Field, Enclosure, Bank (Earthwork) Post Medieval? 7 Trackway, Bank (Earthwork), Peat Cutting?, Quarry, Field Post Medieval?;Modern? 3 Pond, Trackway Modern 18 Flagpole, Triangulation Point, Building, Butts, Electricity Pole, Cable Trench, Testing Range, Water Tank, Earthwork, Transmitter Site, Findspot Modern? 3 Trackway?, Quarry General 1 Mound Unknown 6 Dyke (Defence), Bank (Earthwork), Mound, Peat Cutting?, Enclosure Table 2: Sites by Period
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Figure 4 – Distribution of sites by Period
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2.4 Summary of sites by Type
Table 3 shows the range and numbers of site types recorded by the project.
A fuller breakdown of this information is found in Appendix A and detailed site descriptions are included in the Site Gazetteer in Part 2 of this report.
BANK (EARTHWORK) 3 PEAT CUTTING? 2 BUILDING 4 POND 1 BUTTS 1 POST 1 CABLE TRENCH 2 QUARRY 10 DYKE (DEFENCE) 1 ROUND BARROW 2 EARTHWORK 1 TESTING RANGE 1 ELECTRICITY POLE 1 TRACKWAY 7 ENCLOSURE 3 TRACKWAY? 1 FARMSTEAD 1 TRANSMITTER SITE 1 FIELD 2 TRIANGULATION POINT 2 FINDSPOT 2 WATER TANK 1 FLAGPOLE 2 WEIR 1 MOUND 3
Table 3: Sites by Type
Plate 3: The western edge of the study area. The Black Brook valley, with the Warren Plantation to the right of the stream, outside the study area.
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2.5 Summary of sites by Altitude
Table 4 shows the number of sites per 50m contour band, the amount of land in each 50m band and the density of sites per square kilometre. Figure 5 shows the distribution of sites over the 50m contour bands.
As can be seen in Table 4, most of the land (6.94km2 or 77%) within the study area lies between the 400m and 649m contours.
Numerically, most sites are recorded within two contour bands. Ten sites are recorded between 300-349m on the valley floor in Harley Dingle, whilst 15 sites are found on higher ground, between 600-649m. The former are mostly explained by the presence of buildings and butts in the Radnor firing range. Many of the latter are associated with the transmitter on the Black Mixen and services such as electricity cables put in place there. However, the earliest known archaeological sites in the study area are also found within the 600-649m band, namely the two recorded Bronze Age round barrows and the Shepherds Well dyke, which is of unknown date, but thought likely to be of Early Medieval origin.
It can be seen that the steep sides of Harley Dingle mean that few sites are found in the contour bands between 350m and 499m.
Appendix C provides details of site by NPRN, Name and contour band.
Contour band Number of Sq km Sites per sq sites km 250m to 299m 1 0.22 4.54 300m to 349m 10 0.58 17.24 350m to 399m 6 0.83 7.23 400m to 449m 4 1.02 3.92 450m to 499m 1 1.12 0.89 500m to 549m 8 1.39 5.75 550m to 599m 5 0.87 5.75 600m to 649m 15 2.56 4.69 650m to 699m 6 0.43 13.95
Total 56 9.02
Table 4: Sites by contour band
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Plate 4: The head of the Ystol Bach Valley, at the eastern side of the study area.
Plate 5: Thick bracken on the slopes of Mynydd yr Eithin, to the east of Harley Dingle. 17
Figure 5 – Distribution of sites by Altitude
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2.6 Significant new sites
No significant new sites were recorded by the project in the Great Rhos study area.
The largest new feature recorded was an extensive complex of earthwork banks (NPRN 272047) on Great Rhos. The purpose of these features has not been explained. They may be associated with past activity at the nearby firing range, although lie outside the range boundary. This unusual site does not seem to appear on aerial photographs before the final quarter of the 20th century. Its exact purpose is unclear, although occasional scraps of molten aluminium and steel were found on the surface within the complex, possibly evidence that some form of projectiles were being tested here.
Plate 6: Part of the earthwork complex NPRN 272047 on Great Rhos..
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3. Value of AP mapping to the field project
The RCAHMW supplied interpretation of aerial photographs as digital files, referred to as AP mapping in this document. Each of these records was investigated in the field, see Figure 6.
43 separate records were supplied with the AP mapping. Only 8 of these sites were found to be identifiable archaeological features on the ground and given NPRNs.
Overall, the AP mapping proved of little benefit during fieldwork. It is evident that heather, bilberry and bracken has masked significant parts of the landscape for many decades. More significant perhaps is the nature of the soil cover across much of the study area. The soil tends to be thin and easily erodes. Therefore linear features are easily created simply through trampling by sheep or the light use of wheeled vehicles, from tractors to motorbikes. This leads to a myriad of trackways, often braided, which from the air can appear as more significant features than they are in reality.
The thin soils of the study area and their poor capacity for holding rainwater also means that there are many areas where water erosion has created features that may be confused with man-made features such as trackways or ditches. These include the erosion features known locally as “riggles”, which seem to have been caused by rainwater flooding downslope and washing away strips of topsoil to create linear cuts of varying depth and length. The “Three Riggles”, which have eroded deep cuts into the western side of Harley Dingle are amongst the most significant such features in the region.
36 of the features identified by AP mapping were interpreted as trackways, most of which were to the southeast of Black Mixen. Nearly all of these proved to be erosion features on the ground. It can only be concluded therefore that the AP mapping results for Gwaunceste were disappointing, although this is almost certainly a result of the poor quality of the archaeological resource.
Plate 7: Looking westwards across the Ystol Bach valley towards the “Three Riggles”.
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Figure 6: Features plotted by the RCAHMW from aerial photographs
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4. Great Rhos History and Archaeology
4.1 Characteristics and comparisons The Great Rhos study area is predominantly an uninhabited upland block, which shares many of the physical characteristics of adjacent upland areas, most obviously with regard to those characteristics associated with modern land use. The underlying geology is of generally soft Silurian shales and mudstones, which have eroded to form often spectacularly steeply sided valleys, divided by broad saddles and rounded summits.
The dominant industry at present is pastoral farming, with the upland pastures almost exclusively used for rearing sheep. Most of the land within the study area is used as rough upland grazing. There is improved or semi-improved land along the lower slopes and floor of Harley Dingle and on the southern side of Fron Hill.
Across large portions of the northern part of the study area, on Great Rhos and Black Mixen, a rich heather pasture is present. As a result, 7.13km2 (79%) of the study area is designated as a SSSI. Bracken has invaded most of the lower slopes of the hills, forming a dense mat of vegetation throughout the year. This is a common phenomenon in the Radnorshire hills.
The history of the area is interesting for its connection with the Forest of Radnor, a medieval royal chase. Samuel Lewis (1849) provides some general background history to the area He notes that the royal hunting grounds were sold into private hands by the crown during the reign of Charles I and appear to have fallen, in part at least, within the borough of New Radnor. During the 19th century a considerable amount of oak and larch woodland was planted by the Lewis family of nearby Harpton Court, lords of the manor.
Plate 8: The eastern face of Fron Hill shows evidence of encroachment onto the sides of Harley Dingle. An enclosure (NPRN 272070) can be seen just above the field boundaries.
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Samuel Lewis notes that the steep sides of Fron Hill, which forms the southwestern portion of the study area, were in his day turned into unfenced larch plantations by the Lewis family. The steepness of the hillsides here made it difficult for cattle, horses or sheep to graze there. He also notes that larch could not thrive on the higher heathlands, which were reserved for grazing.
The virtual absence of archaeology on the hills across most of the study area demonstrates quite clearly that the land here has been predominantly used for upland pasture in the past. Some peat cutting is attested on the higher ground in the past, although there is limited field evidence of this activity.
Limited evidence also exists for small scale enclosures encroaching onto the lower slopes and the upper valley sides of Harley Dingle. This was probably the result of farmsteads on the lower ground to the south or within Harley Dingle attempting to bring more land into production during the 18th or 19th centuries. This is a pattern repeated in adjacent upland areas such as the Gwaunceste hills to the southwest (Trysor, 2007).
Both settlement and cultivation are limited to the floor of Harley Dingle and to the lower-lying valleys that surround the hills of the study area. There is no evidence that settlement has taken place on the higher ground around Great Rhos or Black Mixen.
The archaeology of study area is quite limited. The range of archaeological site types present compares to that found in adjacent areas to an extent, including evidence of;
• Bronze Age funerary monuments • post medieval or modern land management and cultivation • post medieval and modern activity relating to o quarrying o the Radnor Testing Range o the Black Mixen transmitter
The presence of the Radnor Range in Harley Dingle is unusual in this area however. The impact that bullet testing has had on Harley Dingle and some adjacent hills in relatively significant as it has lead to the creation of access roads, shooting butts and buildings in a landscape that was otherwise apparently relatively undisturbed.
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4.2 Prehistory
4.2.1 Evidence in adjacent areas
There is little evidence of prehistoric activity within the study area itself, although several sites are known just outside the project boundaries which indicate that human communities would have been settled in the vicinity during the Bronze Age. These include a group of six well-preserved round barrows to the south east of the area on Bache, Whinyard Rocks and Whimble hills. A further three round barrows are recorded to the north, at Cwm Bwch, just beyond the study area boundary.
The Radnor Forest lies just to the west of the Walton Basin, which has been shown in recent years to have been an important focus of human activity throughout prehistory. The archaeology of Great Rhos and the adjacent hills, suggests however, that only during the Bronze Age did human activity leave its mark on the landscape of the heart of the Radnor Forest itself.
4.2.2 Bronze Age funerary and ritual monuments (see Fig. 2)
Evidence of prehistoric activity within the study area is limited to two recorded Bronze Age round barrows (see Table 5).
NPRN Name Site Type 306134 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW II Round Barrow 306143 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW I Round Barrow Table 5: Bronze Age funerary monuments
The locations of these sites can be seen on Figure 2. They are the only two Bronze Age sites recorded.
Plate 9: The profile of round barrow NPRN 306134 24
4.2.3 Significance of the prehistoric archaeology
If the two sites recorded as Bronze Age round barrows are accepted as such, their significance lies in their position on the Black Mixen, one of the highest points in the Radnor Forest. They would appear to be part of the group of fine round barrows to the south east, on the Whimble, Whinyard Rocks and Bache hills. However, there is room to question the identification of both NPRN 306134 and NPRN 306143 as round barrows, despite their status as Scheduled Ancient Monuments.
Round barrow NPRN 306143 was examined and it was found that the top of the mound (which measures 22m in diameter and 1.5m high) was pock-marked with erosion hollows. These hollows exposed peat. This suggests that the mound may in fact be a peat mound, rather than a round barrow. Interestingly, this mound is not shown as a tumulus or barrow on 19th and early 20th century Ordnance Survey maps, although the 1833 map shows that a triangulation stone had already been positioned here.
Round barrow NPRN 306134 is shown as a tumulus on Ordnance Survey maps since 1833. This site was thickly vegetated when visited in 2007 and no opportunity arose to examine the surface of the top of the mound to assess its composition. It was noted that the top of the mound was in fact very uneven and appeared to have been cut into in a number of places. The record made by the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments, when this site was first described in 1911, casts doubt on it being a round barrow. The mound was said to be “built of black peat and stones.” It is difficult to explain how a Bronze Age round barrow might be composed of peat which is generally accepted to have grown since the Bronze Age. It is possible that peat has grown over and obscured the original barrow mounds, but this cannot be verified by surface examination alone. Future work will be required to prove or disprove the true nature of the Black Mixen round barrows.
When the RCAM visited the Black Mixen in 1911, it was noted that the area was a “dangerous turbary” (RCAM, 1913). It is not impossible that both sites represent peat mounds left behind after decades of peat cutting.
A large mound (NPRN 272066) of comparable size on the highest point of Great Rhos has been reclassified as a peat mound in recent years, having formerly been thought to be a possible round barrow.
Plate 10: Mound NPRN 272066 has been discounted as a round barrow.
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4.3 Early Medieval
Shepherd’s Well Dyke
Although there are no recorded medieval sites within the study area, one site is worthy of attention as a possible Early Medieval dyke. The Shepherd’s Well Dyke (NPRN 306133) measures some 70m long. The ditch is c.4m wide x 1.2m deep and the adjacent bank, immediately to the east of the ditch, is c.4m wide at its base x 1m high.
Unfortunately, it is evident that in recent times the ditch has been cleaned out by machine and material dumped to form a low and irregular second bank on the western side of the ditch. This action must have seriously compromised any archaeological or palaeoenvironmental value that sediments accumulated in the ditch may have had. The original bank, along the eastern side of the ditch, may well be sealing in the earlier land surface and still have archaeological and palaeoenvironmental potential.
Shepherd’s Well is not the only dyke found in the area. Just south of Fron Hill, and outside the study area, is the Fron Hill Dyke (NPRN) which runs north-south across the Summergil Brook valley floor.
Plate 11: The southern end of the 70m long Shepherd’s Well dyke (NPRN 306133), showing the now scraped out ditch and the best preserved section of the original bank to the left.
Plate 12: In this photograph, the irregular bank thought to have been created when the ditch was cleaned can be seen to the right of the ditch.
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4.4 Post Medieval Settlement & Farming
The study area consists largely of historic common land, the boundaries of which had been largely fixed by the time of the tithe survey of the parishes which shared access to the mountain pastures, undertaken during the 1830s. Since that time there has been no appreciable intake of common land, and no settlement of the commons. The only discernable changes that have occurred have taken place along the low-lying floor of Harley Dingle, at the heart of the area. Here, at Upper Harley, is the only settlement site found within the study area.
Enclosure and cultivation There is evidence to suggest that small scale attempts to enclose and improve parts of the common have occurred in three main areas. Above Cwm Broadwell, for example, an abandoned field parcel was noted (NPRN 272028), which shows that during the 19th century the boundary between the enclosed and unenclosed land was slightly further north than at present.
On the floor of Harley Dingle, at the site of the firing range, a large rectilinear enclosure or field parcel (NPRN 272065) could be seen from adjacent hills during the summer of 2007. This enclosure appears to underlie later features. It is not shown on any known maps and may be an early post medieval attempt to improve the valley floor. Unfortunately this site could not be visited due to the access restrictions in place at the firing range.
Plate 13: The southern end of the Radnor Testing Range. Enclosure NPRN 272065 can be faintly seen (within the annotated yellow lines) occupying the lower valley slope in the middle of the range buildings.
27
4.4.1 The significance of Post Medieval Settlement & Farming
The few sites associated with settlement and farming in the study area have only local significance. They fit in with a general pattern across the region of the improvement and settlement of lower lying ground and the margins of the upland moors during post medieval times, which has seen a slight retreat since the early 20th century. This has left occasional fields or field systems abandoned at the edge of the common lands, and reclaimed by the moorland vegetation, or sometimes (as in the case of Mynydd yr Eithin) infested with bracken, which appears to thrive on formerly improved land.
Plate 14: The house and fields of Upper Harley, which is the only settlement site, occupied or unoccupied, identified within the study area.
28
4.5 Post Medieval Industries
There are no major industries within the Great Rhos study area, but there is some evidence for small scale industrial activities, such as quarrying and peat cutting. The Radnor Range, where bullets and possibly explosives, have been tested in the past, is also an industrial complex, although its impact on the landscape of Harley Dingle is comparatively light.
4.5.1 Quarrying
There are no major quarries within the study area. Of the 10 quarries recorded during fieldwork, only one (Pant Quarry NPRN 272043) could be described as a relatively large working.
There is no evidence for any structures or infrastructure built in association with the quarries of the study area and it is also not possible to attribute any particular date to them. It does seem probable that most, perhaps all, date to the 19th century.
Plate 15: Evidence of quarrying at Pant quarry (NPRN 272043), at the northern end of Harley Dingle.
29
4.5.2 Peat Cutting
During fieldwork, little physical evidence of peat or turf cutting was noted. Similarly, there was no clear evidence from AP mapping to suggest that such activity had taken place anywhere within the study area.
It is apparent that peat may have been cut on the high ground on Black Mixen, where a solitary peat cutting was recorded (NPRN 272038). This was in the vicinity of the area described as a “dangerous turbary” by the RCAM in 1911 (RCAM, 1913), although the areas does not warrant such a description today. The Cascob parish tithe survey of 1840 also indicates an area of turbary on “Forest Hill” which may equate to the same area.
Tithe map evidence also indicates that peat was being cut on Great Rhos itself during the early to mid-19th century. The New Radnor tithe map of 1846 shows a trackway or road (possibly NPRN 272055) which is annotated as “From Turbary on Radnor Forest”. The location of the said turbary is not given, but as the trackway is ascending the valley slope towards Great Rhos, it may well have been on the high ground to the west of Harley Dingle.
In general however, the hills of the Great Rhos study area do no display any evidence that thick peats have been present in the past, and if there was a turbary on Black Mixen it may have covered a relatively small area. There is no blanket bog on the Great Rhos hills and few of the local soils can even be described as being “peaty” in nature.
Plate 16: Erosion alongside the main footpath at the southern end of Great Rhos shows that peats are not found across the whole of the upland area here.
4.5.3 Radnor Range
The firing range in Harley Dingle, known as the Radnor Range, was first started in 1933 and has been in intermittent use since then. A number of private companies have owned the range throughout the 20th century and in 2005 Eley Cartridges sold the property to Radnor Testing Range Ltd. All public access to the range and the adjacent landscape in Harley Dingle has been suspended for a period of 5 years.
30
Plate 17: An exclusion notice for the Radnor firing range in Harley Dingle.
Plate 18: The Radnor firing range in Harley Dingle, viewed from Great Rhos, looking south. 31
4.5.4 Leisure
Like most upland areas of Wales, the hills of the Great Rhos study area are increasingly used for leisure pursuits such as walking and mountain biking.
The study area includes the highest points in the Radnor Forest area, which itself is being increasingly promoted as a visitor destination for outdoor pursuits. The fine viewpoints available from the top of Great Rhos and the Black Mixen are becoming popular with visitors.
Visitor pressure, although at a low scale, is already contributing to the erosion of the main footpath across the Black Mixen in particular. The only impact that this is having on the archaeology of the area is some extra erosion to the top of the presumed round barrow NPRN 306143 on the Black Mixen. There is a triangulation pillar on top of this mound which walkers are drawn to.
Plate 19: Walkers on top of the round barrow on the Whimble hill, just outside the study area.
Plate 20: An information panel erected by the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust at the northern edge of Black Mixen.
32
4.4.4 Significance of the Industrial Sites
With the exception of the Radnor Range firing range, the industrial sites recorded during fieldwork are few in number and of purely local significance.
The small number of recorded quarries appear to have been used purely to supply local needs. Likewise, peat extraction, the extent of which is unclear, is thought likely only to have met a local need. It is concluded that evidence for both activities in this area should be considered to be of low significance.
The history of the Radnor Range is not wholly clear, although it would appear that the firing range has been used intermittently since the 1930s, by private ammunition companies testing their products. The level of activity at the range seems to have been relatively low and there is no evidence to suggest that the facility is of any great significance.
Plate 21: The transmitter on Black Mixen (NPRN 272060).
33
5. Conclusions
The Great Rhos study area contains an unusually poor range and quantity of archaeological and historic remains. To a large degree, this can be explained by two considerations; the definition of the boundaries of the study area and the history of the area as a medieval royal chase.
In 1992, CPAT undertook a field survey of the upland blocks to the east and west of the Great Rhos study area and made a record of a relatively wide range of features. These included Bronze Age funerary and ritual sites, medieval or post-medieval settlement sites and a number of minor post-medieval features associated with land management. The 1992 survey did not cover Harley Dingle and the higher ground of Great Rhos and Black Mixen due to their association with the Radnor Testing Range. Whereas Harley Dingle remains out of bounds to fieldwork, the adjacent hills, which are altudinous (up to 660m) and characterised by poor soils, might be considered the least promising environments to discover new archaeological features. It is, therefore, not a great surprise that so little was recorded in this environment during 2007.
The second factor may also be crucial. During medieval times, the status of the Forest of Radnor as a royal hunting chase must have meant that access and use of the land was restricted to a large degree. The absence of medieval or early post-medieval settlements may be a direct result of this. The settlement sites to the west of Great Rhos, recorded by CPAT in 1992, may predate the creation of the royal chase, or post-date the sale of the chase into private hands in the mid-17th century.
Since the 17th century, the evidence suggests that the land within the study area has been exploited as upland pasture, with a low-level of settlement and agricultural activity along Harley Dingle, as well as small scale quarrying. The creation of the Radnor Testing Range in Harley Dingle and the Black Mixen transmitter during the 20th century, are possibly the two most significant developments within the study area.
34
6. Sources
Published Map Sources Ordnance Survey, 1 inch to 1 mile series, Sheet 56, 1833. Ordnance Survey, County Series 1st edition, 1890-91, Radnorshire, scale 1:10560 Ordnance Survey, County Series 2nd edition 1905, Radnorshire, scale 1:10560 Ordnance Survey, County Series 3rd edition 1930-53, Radnorshire, scale 1:10560
Unpublished Map Sources Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of New Radnor, 1846 (apportionment 1845) Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Cascob 1840 (apportionment 1839) Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Llanfihangel Rhydithon, 1849 (apportionment 1839)
Aerial Photographs Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 437 Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 438 Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 – 439 Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 595 Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 – 598
35
Published sources
Lewis S, 1849, A topographical dictionary of Wales, 4th edition.
RCAHM, 1913, Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Wales and Monmouth III - County of Radnor, 49
Unpublished sources
Dunn, C J, 1974, Radnorshire Barrows East of the River Ithon: a study of form distribution and siting, 66
CPAT, 2001, Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites: South Radnorshire. CPAT Report
CPAT, 2002, Lithic Scatters Project. CPAT Report
CPAT, 2003, Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites, 2002/03: South Radnorshire and Dyfi Valley CPAT Report
Owen, G, 1992, The Radnor Forest Survey, CPAT Report No 33
Sambrook P & Hall J, 2007, Uplands Initiative: Gwaunceste Archaeological Survey.
36
7. Recommendations
7.1 Detailed site analysis and buildings survey
It is evident that both of the sites recorded as round barrows (NPRNs 306134 & 306143) need to be reassessed. A more detailed analysis of their make-up seems to be required, in view of the observations that peat appears to be an integral part of the make up of both mounds, to inform their future management. This applies to NPRN 306143 in particular as it lies on a main trackway and has a triangulation pillar placed on it, which means that walkers are beginning to erode the top of the mound.
Both sites are Scheduled Ancient Monuments (RD256 & RD257), therefore any such work would need to be undertaken by, or in conjunction with Cadw.
Plate 22: Round barrow NPRN 306143. Although this site appears to be a credible round barrow, erosion on top of the mound has exposed peat, which may suggest that it is a natural feature.
37
7.2 Sites for inclusion on Ordnance Survey mapping
There are no sites recommended for inclusion on Ordnance Survey mapping.
7.3 Sites for pollen analysis and other environmental sampling
The higher parts of the study area, on Great Rhos and Black Mixen exhibited some evidence of peat cover, although where exposed it was seen to be generally very thin, 20cm or less. Occasional mounds of peat gave the distinct impression that there was a far thicker peat blanket on Great Rhos and Black Mixen at some time in the past.
Although Black Mixen was described as a “dangerous turbary” by the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments in 1911 (RCAM, 1913), the degree to which this area has been affected by peat cutting is not clear.
It is thought that the most significant depths of peat remain towards the northern end of the Black Mixen, which is thought to be the only location where any environmental sampling might be possible.
SO 1913065160 Black Mixen, possibly peat bog, depth unknown.
Plate 23: Erosion alongside the main footpath across the highest point on Black Mixen shows the thin peats that are found in the study area.
38
8. Site Gazetteer
This section includes the Site Gazetteer and location maps based on the findings of the fieldwork carried out in 2007.
The site location maps (5 figures in total) precede the print-out of the Site Gazetteer.
The Site Gazetteer itself is a copy of the information provided in the project database.
39
Key to maps 1- 4 Scale 1:20000
Map 1 Map2
Map 3 Map 4
0
0
0
1
2
3
40 Map 1: Great Rhos and Shepherd's Well Scale 1:10000
Bank Cable Trench Trackway
Trackway? 319000
Sites recorded during project
306,134 318000 265000
306,133
272,039 272,038
272,040
272,044
272,043
272,067
272,066
272,053
272,050
272,047 272,052
272,051
263000
The Historical Map Data is © and database right Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Ltd. All rights reserved. The archaeological data superimposed on the map is Crown copyright: RCAHMW, 2004. 41 Map 2: Black Mixen Scale 1:10000
Bank Cable Trench Trackway Trackway?
Sites recorded during project
306,134
265000 320000
272,039 272,038
272,040 272,060
272,041
306,143
272,061 43
272,035 272,034
272,037 272,030
272,036 272,031
272,032
263000
The Historical Map Data is © and database right Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Ltd. All rights reserved. The archaeological data superimposed on the map is Crown copyright: RCAHMW, 2004. 42 Map 3: Fron Hill Scale 1:10000 318000 272,046
272,058 272,072 272,071
272,042 272,064 272,027
272,062 272,073 272,022 272,069 272,026 272,021 272,063 272,065
262000 272,059
272,023 272,024 272,074 272,054
272,055 272,025 2
272,049
272,048
261000
272,033
Bank Cable Trench Trackway Trackway?
Sites recorded during project
The Historical Map Data is © and database right Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Ltd. All rights reserved. The archaeological data superimposed on the map is Crown copyright: RCAHMW, 2004. 43 Map 4: Radnor Range and Upper Harley Scale 1:10000 320000
272,058 272,072 272,071
272,064 272,027
272,062 272,073 272,069
272,063 272,065
262000 272,059
272,074
272,055 272,029
272,068 272,028
272,056
272,057
272,070
261000
Bank Cable Trench Trackway Trackway?
Sites recorded during project
The Historical Map Data is © and database right Crown copyright and Landmark Information Group Ltd. All rights reserved. The archaeological data superimposed on the map is Crown copyright: RCAHMW, 2004. 44 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272021 FRON HILL, QUARRY QUARRY NGR: SO1866262126 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 520 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A quarry shown on the 1st edition 1:10560 Ordnance Survey map of 1891, and named as "Quarry". At the time of the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map of 1905 it was named as "Old Quarry". When visited during Uplands Survey in June 2007 the quarry lay just within the bounds of a private firing range, NPRN 272027, so the feature was not examined closely, but it was roughly 20m northwest-southeast on the northeast side of a trackway. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: CPAT 22600 Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_001 22/06/2007 Quarry looking northeast.
NPRN: 272022 FRON HILL, FLAGPOLE FLAGPOLE NGR: SO1858062182 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 530 Period:Modern Broadclass: Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces Form: Other Structure Condition: A Site Status: Description: A modern flagpole for raising a flag to warn of firing on the testing range, NPRN 272027, below in Harley Dingle. The plastic-coated flagpole stood c.6m high and was accompanied by warning signs when recorded in June 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Part of 272027 GR2007_034 22/06/2007 Flagpole, looking northeast. GR2007_035 22/06/2007 Information board, looking northeast. GR2007_036 22/06/2007 Warning sign on flagpole, looking northeast.
NPRN: 272023 FRON HILL, BANK BANK (EARTHWORK) NGR: SO1857762043 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 514 Period:Unknown Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_002 22/06/2007 Bank, looking east northeast.
45 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272024 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY I TRACKWAY NGR: SO1867362072 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 510 Period:Post Medieval? Broadclass: Transport Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A short section of trackway running approximately south from SO1867162053 to SO1867562093. It was a negative feature, 2m wide with banks either side creating an overall depth of 0.30-0.50m. The vegetation cover was bilberries when visited in July 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_003 22/06/2007 Trackway, looking south southwest.
NPRN: 272025 BLACK BROOK, TRACKWAY TRACKWAY NGR: SO1835761699 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 406 Period:Post Medieval?;Modern? Broadclass: Transport Form: Earthwork Condition: B Site Status: Description: A trackway traced for 30m heading southwards up the east side of the valley of Black Brook from the stream and turning to the southeast as it reached the top of the slope. The eastern side of the trackway was cut into the slope. The vegetation cover was grass and reeds when visited in July 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272026 FRON HILL, EARTHWORK TRACKWAY? NGR: SO1847662195 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 531 Period:Modern? Broadclass: Transport Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: An area, c.70m north-south by 10m, which had been stripped down to the stony subsoil to a depth of 0.40-0.50m. It ran along the top of a west facing slope, and vegetation cover was patchy, possibly indicating that it had been stripped relatively recently. On the modern Ordnance Survey map it is named as a trackway, a continuation of a more conventional trackway to the north. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
46 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272027 RADNOR RANGE, TESTING RANGE TESTING RANGE NGR: SO1936062380 Grid reference taken at a central point within an extensive site Altitude: 350 Period:Modern Broadclass: Industrial Form: Complex Condition: V Site Status: Description: Radnor Range was established in 1933. Eley Limited, a company based in the West Midlands, used the range for testing the cartridges they produced. Eley were bought by the UEE group in 2002. The range appears to have become surplus to requirements shortly after this and put up for sale. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Consists of 272063 GR2007_028 28/08/2007 Radnor Range, looking south Consists of 272062 southeast. Consists of 272053 GR2007_029 28/08/2007 Example of sign around edge of Consists of 272022 Radnor Range, looking east. Consists of 272072 Consists of 272073 Consists of 272074
NPRN: 272028 CWM BROADWELL, ENCLOSURE ENCLOSURE NGR: SO2036961642 Grid reference taken at a central point within an extensive site Altitude: 420 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272029 CWM BROADWELL, BANK BANK (EARTHWORK) NGR: SO2044261742 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 418 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
47 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272030 BLACK MIXEN, EARTHWORK PEAT CUTTING? NGR: SO2045063776 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 560 Period:Post Medieval? Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A depressed area, 30m northeast-southwest by 10m, retaining water along a fence line. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272031 YSTOL BACH BROOK, QUARRY I QUARRY NGR: SO2030663651 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 531 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: V Site Status: Description: A quarry shown as "Old Quarry" on the 1st, 2nd and 4th editions of the 1:10560 Ordnance Survey maps. When visited in July 2007, an area approximately 20m north-south by 10m showed exposed rock, but a far larger area showed signs of having been worked although now all covered in vegetation. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272032 YSTOL BACH BROOK, QUARRY II QUARRY NGR: SO2042963275 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 450 Period:Modern? Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A small quarry on the east side of a track, approximately 20m x 20m. The stone appeared to have been used to create a causeway to carry the north-south track across a gully. Vegetation cover in July 2007 was grass, nettles and a hawthorn tree. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 20 July 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_004 26/07/2007 Quarry, looking southeast.
48 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272033 BLACK BROOK, QUARRY QUARRY NGR: SO1858560911 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 388 Period:Modern? Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A quarry, 20m north-south by 10m close to a modern north-south trackway. Vegetation cover when recorded in June 2007 was grass. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272034 BLACK MIXEN, QUARRY QUARRY NGR: SO2036263852 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 586 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: An area of quarrying consisting of several pits, covering an area 100m east southeast-west northwest, alongside a track.. The quarries are shown on the 1st edition 1:10560 Ordnance Survey map of 1891 and named as "Quarries" as they are on the 2nd and 4th editions. When recorded in August 2007, the quarries were largely grassed over. There were some red brick fragments lying around. J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: CPAT 22546 Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_005 26/08/2007 Lowest part of quarry, looking west. GR2007_006 26/08/2007 Higher part of quarry, looking east.
NPRN: 272035 BLACK MIXEN, ELECTRICITY POLE ELECTRICITY POLE NGR: SO2024563823 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 605 Period:Modern Broadclass: Industrial Form: Other Structure Condition: A Site Status: Description: The last wooden electricity pole in a line running up the valley. From this point the cable went underground through NPRN 272061 to transmitter site NPRN 272060. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Associated with 272061 GR2007_032 26/08/2007 Electricity pole, looking west.
49 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272036 BLACK MIXEN, TRACKWAY? TRACKWAY NGR: SO1973663618 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 642 Period:Post Medieval?;Modern? Broadclass: Transport Form: Earthwork Condition: V Site Status: Description: An earthwork that could be traced running from SO2013763842 in a southwesterly direction towards SO1990863602 from where it turned west in a semicircle to SO1971263728. The whole area was under dense heather vegetation so the feature could not always been seen clearly. Towards the eastern part it resembled a drainage feature, natural or man-made. The western side was probably a modern vehicle track, and two wheel ruts up to 0.50m deep could be seen. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272037 GREAT CREIGIAU, MOUND MOUND NGR: SO1973463748 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 635 Period:Unknown Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272038 BLACK MIXEN, PEAT CUTTING PEAT CUTTING? NGR: SO1929264620 Grid reference taken at a central point within an extensive site Altitude: 640 Period:Unknown Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A shallow area of peat cutting, approximately 30m east-west by 20m and 0.30m deep. Vegetation cover when recorded in August 2007 was heather. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_007 26/08/2007 Peat cutting, looking west southwest.
50 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272039 BLACK MIXEN, UNDERGROUND CABLE CABLE TRENCH II NGR: SO1923664754 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 630 Period:Modern Broadclass: Unassigned Form: Other Structure Condition: B Site Status: Description: A section of exposed, 3cm diameter cable in an erosion hollow alongside a track. The cable was buried 0.25-0.30m below the ground and ran southeast-northwest. The cut of the trench in which it was buried could be seen in the section. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_008 26/08/2007 Underground cable, showing cut of trench in which it was placed, and the stratigraphy.
NPRN: 272040 BLACK MIXEN, POST POST NGR: SO1937664605 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 645 Period:Modern Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_009 26/08/2007 Concrete post, lying on the ground.
NPRN: 272041 BLACK MIXEN, TRIANGULATION POINT TRIANGULATION POINT NGR: SO1965364403 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 650 Period:Modern Broadclass: Civil Form: Other Structure Condition: B Site Status: Description: A concrete triangulation point standing on the centre of round barrow NPRN 306143. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_010 26/08/2007 Concrete triangulation point, on top of round barrow, NPRN 306143, looking southeast.
51 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272042 GREAT RHOS, TRACKWAY TRACKWAY NGR: SO1849462505 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 600 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Transport Form: Earthwork Condition: B Site Status: Description: A trackway defined as a negative feature, 2m wide and up to 0.5m deep. The trackway is shown on all editions of the 1:10560 Ordnance Survey maps since 1891 and is still in use now. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_030 28/08/2007 Trackway, looking north
NPRN: 272043 PANT, QUARRY QUARRY NGR: SO1888064122 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 590 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A quarry shown on the 1st edition 1:10560 Ordnance Survey map of 1891 lying within a rectangular enclosure, NPRN 272044, and marked as "Quarry". It is marked as "Old Quarry" on the 2nd edition and 4th edition maps. The quarry was largely grassed over when visited in August 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 23 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_023 26/08/2007 Quarry, looking west.
NPRN: 272044 PANT, ENCLOSURE ENCLOSURE NGR: SO1888064150 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 590 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
52 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272046 GREAT RHOS, WATER TANK WATER TANK NGR: SO1841662861 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 620 Period:Modern Broadclass: Water Supply and Drainage Form: Other Structure Condition: B Site Status: Description: A cylindrical metal tank lying on its side and now partly buried in the ground. It measured 1.8m southeast-northwest with a diameter of 1.5m. It may have originally been completely buried but erosion had removed soil from around it. The tank was full of water when visited in August 2007 and surrounded by grass. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_011 28/08/2007 Water tank, looking north northwest.
NPRN: 272047 GREAT RHOS, EARTHWORK EARTHWORK NGR: SO1833063170 Grid reference taken at a central point within an extensive site Altitude: 650 Period:Modern Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_038 28/08/2007 Southeastern part of earthwork, looking north, taken from about SO18516302 GR2007_039 28/08/2007 Southeastern part of earthwork, looking south, taken from about SO18516302
53 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272048 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY II TRACKWAY NGR: SO1881161199 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 510 Period:Post Medieval? Broadclass: Transport Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A disused trackway on the western side of Fron Hill. It could be traced as a negative earthwork from SO1882660979 to SO1864761784 where it had merged with trackway NPRN 272049 which ran parallel to it for most of its length. The negative feature was 2.0-2.5m wide and 0.30-0.50m deep. When recorded in June 2007 the vegetation cover was heather. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_031 26/06/2007 Trackway, looking south.
NPRN: 272049 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY III TRACKWAY NGR: SO1874061520 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 510 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Transport Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A disused trackway on the western side of Fron Hill. It could be traced as a negative earthwork from SO1883161195 to SO1864761784 where it had merged with trackway NPRN 272048 which ran roughly parallel to it for most its length. When recorded in June 2007 the vegetation cover was heather. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272050 GREAT RHOS, POND POND NGR: SO1854663362 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 642 Period:Post Medieval?;Modern? Broadclass: Water Supply and Drainage Form: Earthwork Condition: B Site Status: Description: An artificial pond, 8m in diameter, which still held water in August 2007. The pond lay just above a steep slope dropping down to the east, and was created by an earth dam on its eastern edge. The dam measured 10m long by 3m wide and up to 1m high. The pond was beginning to become overgrown with vegetation. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_012 28/08/2007 Pond, looking west.
54 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272051 GREAT RHOS, MOUND II MOUND NGR: SO1851663122 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 635 Period:Unknown Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272052 GREAT RHOS, FINDSPOT FINDSPOT NGR: SO1849363139 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 640 Period:Modern Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_013 28/08/2007 Metal debris.
NPRN: 272053 GREAT RHOS, FLAGPOLE FLAGPOLE NGR: SO1849363721 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 650 Period:Modern Broadclass: Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces Form: Other Structure Condition: A Site Status: Description: A modern flagpole, and warning sign, on the edge of the testing range, NPRN 272027. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Part of 272027 GR2007_014 28/08/2007 Flagpole, looking east.
55 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272054 RADNOR RANGE, QUARRY QUARRY NGR: SO1881061990 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 580 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A quarry shown on the 1st Edition 1:10560 Ordnance Survey map of 1891 marked as "Quarry". It is also marked as "Quarry" on the 2nd edition and 4th edition maps. The quarry covered an area of at least 100m by 50m and was partially grassed over when recorded in August 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 23 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272055 UPPER HARLEY, TRACKWAY TRACKWAY NGR: SO1926861837 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 350 Period:Post Medieval? Broadclass: Transport Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: An earthwork trackway running diagonally downslope from SO1899062011 to SO1948061693. It was seen from the opposite side of the valley as it lay within a private testing range and so not visited on the ground. It was covered in dense bracken and ran through a small conifer plantation at one point. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 23 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_024 26/07/2007 Trackway, (uppermost diagonal line), looking west.
NPRN: 272056 LOWER HARLEY, QUARRY QUARRY NGR: SO2002561485 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 370 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A quarry not shown on any edition of the 1:10560 Ordnance Survey maps. It lies within the private testing range at Harley Dingle so was not visited on the ground during Uplands Survey in 2007. However it was seen from surrounding land. It was a linear quarry cut into the west facing slope with a spoil tip on the outer western edge. It was overgrown with grass and several bushes were established on it. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 23 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
56 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272057 NEW RADNOR, FLINT FLAKE FINDSPOT NGR: SO203615 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 400 Period:Prehistoric Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: CPAT 23314 Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272058 HARLEY DINGLE, QUARRY QUARRY NGR: SO1926462700 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 340 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: U Site Status: Description: A quarry shown on all editions of the 1:10560 Ordnance Survey maps since 1891. On all editions it marked as "Quarry". On modern mapping, a building is shown within it. It lies within the private firing range so was not visited on the ground during Uplands Survey in 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 23 February 2008
SMR PRN: CPAT 22598 Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_025 28/08/2007 Quarry in foreground, looking south southeast.
NPRN: 272059 UPPER HARLEY, QUARRY QUARRY NGR: SO1944261961 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 310 Period:Post Medieval? Broadclass: Industrial Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A small quarry marked as "Old Quarry" on the 2nd edition 1:10560 Ordnance Survey map of 1905 but not shown on the 1st edition map of 1891. It was not visited on the ground during Uplands Survey in 2007 as it lies within the private testing range but could be seen from surrounding slopes. In August 2007 a building, NPRN 272074, connected with the testing range, had been built within it. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 23 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
57 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272060 BLACK MIXEN, TRANSMITTER TRANSMITTER SITE NGR: SO1965564444 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 649 Period:Modern Broadclass: Communications Form: Other Structure Condition: A Site Status: Description: Transmitter masts and associated buildings within a post and wire fence. The mast lies at the eastern end of the enclosure. A redbrick building lies along the southern boundary and a more recent blue brick building lies along the western boundary. When the site was recorded in August 2008, there was also debris lying around the outside of the compound. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 23 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Associated with 272061 GR2007_026 26/08/2007 Transmitter site, looking northwest. GR2007_027 26/08/2007 Transmitter site, looking east. GR2007_026 26/08/2007 Transmitter site, looking northwest. GR2007_027 26/08/2007 Transmitter site, looking east.
NPRN: 272061 BLACK MIXEN, UNDERGROUND CABLE I CABLE TRENCH NGR: SO1993064170 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 640 Period:Modern Broadclass: Unassigned Form: Other Structure Condition: A Site Status: Description: An underground cable running from transmitter site NPRN 272060 to electricity pole NPRN 272035. The cable may have originally been carried on poles all the way to the transmitter which would tie in with the plots from the aerial photographs. When visited in August 2007 a distance vegetation line showed where the cable ran. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 23 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Associated with 272035 Associated with 272060
NPRN: 272062 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING I BUILDING NGR: SO1929662262 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 320 Period:Modern Broadclass: Unassigned Form: Building Condition: A Site Status: Description: A small, roofed building on Radnor range. It was not visited on the ground as it is lies within the private testing range, but was viewed from the valley side to the north in August 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Part of 272027
58 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272063 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING II BUILDING NGR: SO1928162182 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 320 Period:Modern Broadclass: Unassigned Form: Building Condition: A Site Status: Description: A small, roofed building on Radnor range. It was not visited on the ground as it is lies within the private testing range, but was viewed from the valley side to the north in August 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Part of 272027
NPRN: 272064 RADNOR RANGE, ENCLOSURE ENCLOSURE NGR: SO1923962396 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 310 Period:Unknown Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272065 RADNOR RANGE, FIELD FIELD NGR: SO1942862059 Grid reference taken at a central point within an extensive site Altitude: 320 Period:Post Medieval? Broadclass: Agriculture and Subsistence Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A large enclosure or field underlying the modern firing range features. It was not seen on the ground as it lays within the private testing range, but its banks could be seen from higher up the valley in August 2007. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
59 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272066 GREAT RHOS, MOUND I MOUND NGR: SO1821763889 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 660 Period:General Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272067 GREAT RHOS, TRIANGULATION POINT TRIANGULATION POINT NGR: SO1821763896 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 660 Period:Modern Broadclass: Civil Form: Other Structure Condition: A Site Status: Description: A standard concrete triangulation point on top of peat mound, NPRN 272066. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272068 UPPER HARLEY, FARMSTEAD FARMSTEAD NGR: SO1957561721 Grid reference taken at a central point within an extensive site Altitude: 298 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Agriculture and Subsistence Form: Complex Condition: V Site Status: Description: A post medieval farmstead in the lower part of Harley Dingle where the valley widens out. The farmhouse and outbuildings are in the middle of a rectilinear field system. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
60 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272069 UPPER HARLEY, WEIR WEIR NGR: SO1925462192 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 310 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Water Supply and Drainage Form: Other Structure Condition: U Site Status: Description: A weir shown on the 1st edition 1:10560 Ordnance Survey map of 1891, and later editions. It was not visited on the ground in 2007 as it is within the testing range. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
NPRN: 272070 LOWER HARLEY, BANK BANK (EARTHWORK) NGR: SO1960061200 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 350 Period:Post Medieval? Broadclass: Monument
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_033 26/07/2007 Bank, outside area of modern enclosure, looking west.
NPRN: 272071 HARLEY DINGLE, BUILDING BUILDING NGR: SO1924962687 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 320 Period:Modern Broadclass: Unassigned Form: Building Condition: A Site Status: Description: A modern building within quarry NPRN 272058. The building was not visited on the ground as it lies within the Radnor Range private testing range. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 29 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs:
61 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 272072 RADNOR RANGE, SHOOTING BUTT BUTTS NGR: SO1915462696 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 340 Period:Modern Broadclass: Recreational Form: Other Structure Condition: U Site Status: Description: A butt marked on the modern Ordnance Survey maps. The site was not visited on the ground as it was within the Radnor Range private firing range. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 29 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Part of 272027
NPRN: 272073 UPPER HARLEY, FIELD FIELD NGR: SO1946062201 Grid reference taken at a central point within an extensive site Altitude: 350 Period:Post Medieval Broadclass: Agriculture and Subsistence Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: Description: A boundary bank shown on the 1st, 2nd and 1953 1:10560 edition Ordnance Survey maps. It defined a field that extended the extant field system northwestwards up the valley. It was not rectilinear but measured approximately 550m northwest-southeast by 390m. The feature was not visited on the ground in 2007 as it lay within Radnor Range. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 29 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Part of 272027
NPRN: 272074 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING III BUILDING NGR: SO1944161966 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 310 Period:Modern Broadclass: Unassigned Form: Building Condition: A Site Status: Description: A modern building, part of the Radnor Range, NPRN 272027, built in a former small quarry NPRN 272059. The feature was not visited on the ground in 2007 as it lay within Radnor Range but was seen from slopes above the range. J.J. Hall, Trysor, 29 February 2008
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: Part of 272027 GR2007_037 26/07/2007 Building in centre of photograph, looking west
62 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 306133 SHEPHERD'S WELL DYKE DYKE (DEFENCE) NGR: SO1883464987 Grid reference taken at point along linear site Altitude: 602 Period:Unknown Broadclass: Defence Form: Earthwork Condition: D Site Status: Description: 1. A cross-col bank and ditch, c.70.5m long, facing W, having the boundary between New Radnor and Llanfihange Rhydithon running along its ditch. (source Os495card; SO16NE2) J.Wiles 27.08.02
2. A ditch, running north northwest- south southeast, flanked by a bank on its eastern side. When recorded in August 2007 the bank was 4m wide and 1m high and the ditch was up to 4m wide and 1.2m deep. However, the ditch profile had obviously been recut relatively recently and the material cast on top of the bank, and also on to the west side creating a shallow bank. A trackway ran through the feature further damaging it. The description in the NMR archive also described the ditch running to the west at its southern end but this was not seen.
Fields Altered: NGR, Mdesc, Form, Area_Status, UPD_On Changed from 10/11/2005 to 24/09/2007), Updater (Changed from RC_ to JJH), Condition, Land Use, Altitude, Short_text
J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_015 26/08/2007 Ditch and bank looking south southeast, taking from the trackway crossing them. GR2007_016 26/08/2007 Ditch and bank looking north northwest, taking from the trackway crossing them. GR2007_017 26/08/2007 Ditch and bank, looking south.
63 Uplands Initiative - Great Rhos 2007-8 NPRN: 306134 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW II ROUND BARROW NGR: SO1909965197 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 634 Period:Bronze Age Broadclass: Religious Ritual and Funerary Form: Earthwork Condition: B Site Status: RD256 Description: 1. A mound, 23m in diameter and 0.75-1.6m high, denuded to the W, said to be constructed of peat (?). (source Os495card; SO16NE5) J.Wiles 27.08.02
2. A mound, 23m in diameter and up to 1.6m high, with a relatively flat top. When recorded in August 2007 the top was uneven and may have been cut into, but the mound and its surrounding were covered in dense, deep heather so it was not possible to see any other details.
Fields Altered: NGR, Mdesc, Broadclass, Period, Form, Area_Status, UPD_On, Updater (Changed from 08/11/2005 to 24/09/2007), Updater (Changed from FF to JJH), Condition, Land Use, Altitude, Short_Text, PRN, Trust,
J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: CPAT 1637 Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_018 26/08/2007 Mound, looking south. GR2007_019 26/08/2007 Mound, looking north.
NPRN: 306143 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW I ROUND BARROW NGR: SO1965064396 Grid reference taken at centre of site Altitude: 650 Period:Bronze Age Broadclass: Religious Ritual and Funerary Form: Earthwork Condition: C Site Status: RD257 Description: 1. A barrow, 22m in diameter and 1.5m high, topped by an OS triangulation pillar. (source Os495card; SO16SE4) J.Wiles 27.08.02
2. When visited in 2007, the barrow was as described above. The triangulation pillar, NPRN 272041, stood at the centre and the flat top to the mound was uneven, pockmarked with erosion hollows. Most of the barrow was covered in heather but the erosion scars were exposed peat.
Fields Altered: NGR, Mdesc, Broadclass, Period, Form, Condition, Land Use, Area_Status, Altitude, UPD_On (Changed from 11/01/2006 to 24/09/2007), Updater (Changed from FF to JJH), Short_text, PRN, Trust.
J.J. Hall, Trysor, 24 September 2007
SMR PRN: CPAT 1641 Relationships: Photographs: GR2007_020 26/08/2007 Barrow, on the right of the mast, looking southeast. GR2007_021 26/08/2007 Barrow, looking southeast. GR2007_022 26/08/2007 Barrow, looking southeast.
64 Uplands Initiative – Great Rhos 2007-8
Appendix A - Site Type Summary
Site Type Number NPRN Site Name
BANK (EARTHWORK) 3 272023 FRON HILL, BANK 272070 LOWER HARLEY, BANK 272029 CWM BROADWELL, BANK BUILDING 4 272071 HARLEY DINGLE, BUILDING 272074 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING III 272062 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING I 272063 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING II BUTTS 1 272072 RADNOR RANGE, SHOOTING BUTT CABLE TRENCH 2 272039 BLACK MIXEN, UNDERGROUND CABLE II 272061 BLACK MIXEN, UNDERGROUND CABLE I DYKE (DEFENCE) 1 306133 SHEPHERD'S WELL DYKE EARTHWORK 1 272047 GREAT RHOS, EARTHWORK ELECTRICITY POLE 1 272035 BLACK MIXEN, ELECTRICITY POLE ENCLOSURE 3 272028 CWM BROADWELL, ENCLOSURE 272044 PANT, ENCLOSURE 272064 RADNOR RANGE, ENCLOSURE FARMSTEAD 1 272068 UPPER HARLEY, FARMSTEAD FIELD 2 272073 UPPER HARLEY, FIELD 272065 RADNOR RANGE, FIELD FINDSPOT 2 272052 GREAT RHOS, FINDSPOT 272057 NEW RADNOR, FLINT FLAKE FLAGPOLE 2 272022 FRON HILL, FLAGPOLE 272053 GREAT RHOS, FLAGPOLE MOUND 3 272066 GREAT RHOS, MOUND I 272037 GREAT GREIGIAU, MOUND 272051 GREAT RHOS, MOUND II PEAT CUTTING? 2 272030 BLACK MIXEN, EARTHWORK 272038 BLACK MIXEN, PEAT CUTTING POND 1 272050 GREAT RHOS, POND POST 1 272040 BLACK MIXEN, POST QUARRY 10 272021 FRON HILL, QUARRY 272031 YSTOL BACH BROOK, QUARRY I 272032 YSTOL BACH BROOK, QUARRY II 272033 BLACK BROOK, QUARRY 272034 BLACK MIXEN, QUARRY
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Site Type Number NPRN Site Name
272043 PANT, QUARRY 272054 RADNOR RANGE, QUARRY 272056 LOWER HARLEY, QUARRY 272058 HARLEY DINGLE, QUARRY 272059 UPPER HARLEY, QUARRY ROUND BARROW 2 306134 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW II 306143 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW I TESTING RANGE 1 272027 RADNOR RANGE, TESTING RANGE TRACKWAY 7 272024 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY I 272048 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY II 272049 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY III 272025 BLACK BROOK, TRACKWAY 272036 BLACK MIXEN, TRACKWAY? 272042 GREAT RHOS, TRACKWAY 272055 UPPER HARLEY, TRACKWAY TRACKWAY? 1 272026 FRON HILL, EARTHWORK TRANSMITTER SITE 1 272060 BLACK MIXEN, TRANSMITTER TRIANGULATION 2 POINT 272067 GREAT RHOS, TRIANGULATION POINT 272041 BLACK MIXEN, TRIANGULATION POINT WATER TANK 1 272046 GREAT RHOS, WATER TANK WEIR 1 272069 UPPER HARLEY, WEIR
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Appendix B - Period Summary
Period Number NPRN Site Name
Prehistoric 1 272057 NEW RADNOR, FLINT FLAKE Bronze Age 2 306134 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW II 306143 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW I Post Medieval 15 272021 FRON HILL, QUARRY 272068 UPPER HARLEY, FARMSTEAD 272049 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY III 272069 UPPER HARLEY, WEIR 272073 UPPER HARLEY, FIELD 272028 CWM BROADWELL, ENCLOSURE 272029 CWM BROADWELL, BANK 272031 YSTOL BACH BROOK, QUARRY I 272034 BLACK MIXEN, QUARRY 272042 GREAT RHOS, TRACKWAY 272043 PANT, QUARRY 272044 PANT, ENCLOSURE 272054 RADNOR RANGE, QUARRY 272056 LOWER HARLEY, QUARRY 272058 HARLEY DINGLE, QUARRY Post Medieval? 7 272024 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY I 272048 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY II 272070 LOWER HARLEY, BANK 272030 BLACK MIXEN, EARTHWORK 272055 UPPER HARLEY, TRACKWAY 272059 UPPER HARLEY, QUARRY 272065 RADNOR RANGE, FIELD Post Medieval?; 3 Modern? 272025 BLACK BROOK, TRACKWAY 272036 BLACK MIXEN, TRACKWAY? 272050 GREAT RHOS, POND Modern 18 272022 FRON HILL, FLAGPOLE 272067 GREAT RHOS, TRIANGULATION POINT 272071 HARLEY DINGLE, BUILDING 272072 RADNOR RANGE, SHOOTING BUTT 272074 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING III 272027 RADNOR RANGE, TESTING RANGE 272035 BLACK MIXEN, ELECTRICITY POLE 272039 BLACK MIXEN, UNDERGROUND CABLE II 272040 BLACK MIXEN, POST 272041 BLACK MIXEN, TRIANGULATION POINT 272046 GREAT RHOS, WATER TANK 272047 GREAT RHOS, EARTHWORK 272052 GREAT RHOS, FINDSPOT 272053 GREAT RHOS, FLAGPOLE 272060 BLACK MIXEN, TRANSMITTER 272061 BLACK MIXEN, UNDERGROUND CABLE I 272062 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING I 272063 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING II
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Period Number NPRN Site Name
Modern? 3 272026 FRON HILL, EARTHWORK 272032 YSTOL BACH BROOK, QUARRY II 272033 BLACK BROOK, QUARRY General 1 272066 GREAT RHOS, MOUND I Unknown 6 306133 SHEPHERD'S WELL DYKE 272023 FRON HILL, BANK 272037 GREAT GREIGIAU, MOUND 272038 BLACK MIXEN, PEAT CUTTING 272051 GREAT RHOS, MOUND II 272064 RADNOR RANGE, ENCLOSURE
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Uplands Initiative – Great Rhos 2007-8
Appendix C – Contour Summary
Contour Band Number NPRN Site Name
250m to 299m 1 272068 UPPER HARLEY, FARMSTEAD
300m to 349m 10 272068 UPPER HARLEY, FARMSTEAD 272069 UPPER HARLEY, WEIR 272071 HARLEY DINGLE, BUILDING 272072 RADNOR RANGE, SHOOTING BUTT 272074 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING III 272058 HARLEY DINGLE, QUARRY 272059 UPPER HARLEY, QUARRY 272062 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING I 272063 RADNOR RANGE, BUILDING II 272064 RADNOR RANGE, ENCLOSURE 272065 RADNOR RANGE, FIELD
350m to 399m 6 272070 LOWER HARLEY, BANK 272073 UPPER HARLEY, FIELD 272027 RADNOR RANGE, TESTING RANGE 272033 BLACK BROOK, QUARRY 272055 UPPER HARLEY, TRACKWAY 272056 LOWER HARLEY, QUARRY
400m to 449m 4 272025 BLACK BROOK, TRACKWAY 272028 CWM BROADWELL, ENCLOSURE 272029 CWM BROADWELL, BANK 272057 NEW RADNOR, FLINT FLAKE 450m to 499m 1 272032 YSTOL BACH BROOK, QUARRY II
500m to 549m 8 272021 FRON HILL, QUARRY 272022 FRON HILL, FLAGPOLE 272023 FRON HILL, BANK 272024 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY I 272048 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY II 272049 FRON HILL, TRACKWAY III 272026 FRON HILL, EARTHWORK 272031 YSTOL BACH BROOK, QUARRY I
550m to 599m 5 272030 BLACK MIXEN, EARTHWORK 272034 BLACK MIXEN, QUARRY 272043 PANT, QUARRY 272044 PANT, ENCLOSURE 272054 RADNOR RANGE, QUARRY
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Uplands Initiative – Great Rhos 2007-8
Contour Band Number NPRN Site Name
600m to 649m 15 306134 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW II 306133 SHEPHERD'S WELL DYKE 272035 BLACK MIXEN, ELECTRICITY POLE 272036 BLACK MIXEN, TRACKWAY? 272037 GREAT GREIGIAU, MOUND 272038 BLACK MIXEN, PEAT CUTTING 272039 BLACK MIXEN, UNDERGROUND CABLE II 272040 BLACK MIXEN, POST 272042 GREAT RHOS, TRACKWAY 272046 GREAT RHOS, WATER TANK 272050 GREAT RHOS, POND 272051 GREAT RHOS, MOUND II 272052 GREAT RHOS, FINDSPOT 272060 BLACK MIXEN, TRANSMITTER 272061 BLACK MIXEN, UNDERGROUND CABLE I
650m to 699m 6 306143 BLACK MIXEN, BARROW I 272066 GREAT RHOS, MOUND I 272067 GREAT RHOS, TRIANGULATION POINT 272041 BLACK MIXEN, TRIANGULATION POINT 272047 GREAT RHOS, EARTHWORK 272053 GREAT RHOS, FLAGPOLE
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Uplands Initiative – Great Rhos 2007-8
Appendix D - Uplands Initiative Aerial Photo Mapping
Temporary ID number: 1 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 439 Field Interpretation: Within testing range and so not visited on the ground, but viewed from areas around it was thought to be natural.
Temporary ID number: 2 NPRN: 272055 Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 439 Field Interpretation: TRACKWAY
Temporary ID number: 3 NPRN: 272060 Initial Interpretation: ROOFED BUILDING identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Red brick BUILDING, part of transmitter site at Black Mixen
Temporary ID number: 4 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion around outside of transmitter site enclosure.
Temporary ID number: 5 NPRN: 272061 Initial Interpretation: WALL identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Thought to be related to the underground electricity cable running from the transmitter site to the electricity pole. May represent electricity poles before the cable was under grounded.
Temporary ID number: 6 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 7 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 8 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 9 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 10 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
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Uplands Initiative – Great Rhos 2007-8
Temporary ID number: 11 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 12 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 13 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 14 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 15 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 16 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 17 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Trackway shown on Ordnance Survey maps
Temporary ID number: 18 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 19 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 20 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 21 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
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Uplands Initiative – Great Rhos 2007-8
Temporary ID number: 22 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Trackway in use now
Temporary ID number: 23 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Trackway in use now
Temporary ID number: 24 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 25 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 26 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 27 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 28 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Erosion
Temporary ID number: 29 NPRN: 272036 Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 598 Field Interpretation: Possible trackway, feature continues on further to the south and then west than shown on plot
Temporary ID number: 30 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 595 Field Interpretation: Not located
Temporary ID number: 31 NPRN: 272056 Initial Interpretation: QUARRY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 595 Field Interpretation: QUARRY
Temporary ID number: 32 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 595 Field Interpretation: Not located
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Uplands Initiative – Great Rhos 2007-8
Temporary ID number: 33 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 595 Field Interpretation: Not located
Temporary ID number: 34 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 595 Field Interpretation: Not located
Temporary ID number: 35 NPRN: 272055 Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 255 - 595 Field Interpretation: TRACKWAY
Temporary ID number: 36 NPRN: 272062 Initial Interpretation: ROOFED BUILDING identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 438 Field Interpretation: Small roofed BUILDING, part of firing range.
Temporary ID number: 37 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: ROOFED BUILDING identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 438 Field Interpretation: Not visited on ground as within testing range.
Temporary ID number: 38 NPRN: 272063 Initial Interpretation: ROOFED BUILDING identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 438 Field Interpretation: Small roofed BUILDING, part of firing range.
Temporary ID number: 39 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 438 Field Interpretation: Trackway in use now
Temporary ID number: 40 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 438 Field Interpretation: Trackway in use now
Temporary ID number: 41 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 438 Field Interpretation: Trackway in use now
Temporary ID number: 42 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: TRACKWAY identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 438 Field Interpretation: Trackway in use now
Temporary ID number: 43 NPRN: Initial Interpretation: ROOFED BUILDING identified from Ordnance Survey vertical AP 72 252 - 437 Field Interpretation: Not visited on ground as within testing range.
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Uplands Initiative – Great Rhos 2007-8
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