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Saith-maen

Heritage Site in Brecknockshire

Wales

Saith-maen

Slaty outcrop Rock outcrop is rare in this area, where the glacially-moulded landscape has rounded features. Harder beds tend to stick out, and there are local outcrops of sandstone nearby in what is otherwise a rather dull, slaty mudstone. The rocks belong to the Yr Allt Formation, of Ordovician, Asgill age. Dense bracken cloaks the steep valley sides, but has been taken in hand on the rolling, upland grazing. For a view towards this location, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5563324">SN9558 : Cwm Chwefru</a>.
Slaty outcrop Credit: Jonathan Wilkins

Saith-maen, located in Brecknockshire, Wales, is a heritage site consisting of seven standing stones arranged in a circular formation. The stones are believed to date back to the Bronze Age, making them around 4,000 years old.

The site is located in a picturesque and remote area, surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, adding to its mystique and historical significance. The stones vary in height, with the tallest standing at around 2.5 meters, and each stone is made of local sandstone.

Saith-maen is thought to have been used for ritual or ceremonial purposes by the ancient inhabitants of the area, possibly as a sacred site or a place for gathering and worship. The alignment of the stones may have also had astronomical significance, marking important celestial events such as solstices or equinoxes.

Today, Saith-maen is a protected heritage site, allowing visitors to explore and appreciate the ancient history and cultural significance of the standing stones. It is a popular destination for archaeology enthusiasts, history buffs, and those interested in exploring the rich heritage of Wales.

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Saith-maen Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.232/-3.545 or Grid Reference SN9460. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Slaty outcrop Rock outcrop is rare in this area, where the glacially-moulded landscape has rounded features. Harder beds tend to stick out, and there are local outcrops of sandstone nearby in what is otherwise a rather dull, slaty mudstone. The rocks belong to the Yr Allt Formation, of Ordovician, Asgill age. Dense bracken cloaks the steep valley sides, but has been taken in hand on the rolling, upland grazing. For a view towards this location, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5563324">SN9558 : Cwm Chwefru</a>.
Slaty outcrop
Rock outcrop is rare in this area, where the glacially-moulded landscape has rounded features. Harder beds tend to stick out, and there are local outcrops of sandstone nearby in what is otherwise a rather dull, slaty mudstone. The rocks belong to the Yr Allt Formation, of Ordovician, Asgill age. Dense bracken cloaks the steep valley sides, but has been taken in hand on the rolling, upland grazing. For a view towards this location, see SN9558 : Cwm Chwefru.
Bryn Ceinon Looking eastwards over the rolling uplands above Cwmchwefru. A glacial erratic boulder has long been a rubbing stone for sheep which have eroded a hollow around it with their feet.
Bryn Ceinon
Looking eastwards over the rolling uplands above Cwmchwefru. A glacial erratic boulder has long been a rubbing stone for sheep which have eroded a hollow around it with their feet.
Moorland view, Hafen A shallow valley running off the hillside of Hafen produces a small trickle of water by my feet. After long drought the normally boggy ground is mercifully dry.
Moorland view, Hafen
A shallow valley running off the hillside of Hafen produces a small trickle of water by my feet. After long drought the normally boggy ground is mercifully dry.
Quartz-rich rock outcrop A gentle ridge running off Hafen has sporadic rock outcrop. This is exposure of the Doldowlod Conglomerate Member of the Nantmel Mudstones Formation (Ordovician, Ashgill) which lies beneath the Yr Allt Formation (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7228936">SN9558 : Slaty outcrop</a>).
Quartz-rich rock outcrop
A gentle ridge running off Hafen has sporadic rock outcrop. This is exposure of the Doldowlod Conglomerate Member of the Nantmel Mudstones Formation (Ordovician, Ashgill) which lies beneath the Yr Allt Formation (see SN9558 : Slaty outcrop).
Doldowlod Conglomerate Outcrop of quartz-rich rock is an expression of the Doldowlod Conglomerate Member of the Nantmel Mudstones Formation, (Ordovician, Ashgill). In fact, I had difficulty in seeing any conglomerate structure, and the rock's principal feature appears to be intense brecciation and veining with quartz.
Doldowlod Conglomerate
Outcrop of quartz-rich rock is an expression of the Doldowlod Conglomerate Member of the Nantmel Mudstones Formation, (Ordovician, Ashgill). In fact, I had difficulty in seeing any conglomerate structure, and the rock's principal feature appears to be intense brecciation and veining with quartz.
Nant Hafen Looking down from Hafen over its steep western slope. I was surprised by the wide col which is developed, and views can just be obtained of distant high ground beyond the Elan Valley. I looked down over a pair of buzzard tumbling in the wind, and was visited shortly afterwards by an inquisitive kite. Otherwise, sheep were the only company.
Nant Hafen
Looking down from Hafen over its steep western slope. I was surprised by the wide col which is developed, and views can just be obtained of distant high ground beyond the Elan Valley. I looked down over a pair of buzzard tumbling in the wind, and was visited shortly afterwards by an inquisitive kite. Otherwise, sheep were the only company.
Incised stream, Nant Hafen Water running across deep glacial deposits has eroded a significant gully.
Incised stream, Nant Hafen
Water running across deep glacial deposits has eroded a significant gully.
Tiny waterfall, Nant Hafen A trickle of water was enough to make a pretty sound, but the flow was much reduced after significant drought. I was interested by the red colour of these rocks, which are glacial boulders, but it appeared to be iron-staining.
Tiny waterfall, Nant Hafen
A trickle of water was enough to make a pretty sound, but the flow was much reduced after significant drought. I was interested by the red colour of these rocks, which are glacial boulders, but it appeared to be iron-staining.
Path on Rhos Saith Maen An extraordinary boggy wilderness forming a col between the Wye Valley and Cwm Chwefri. Not a path often used, it seems, but distinct.
Path on Rhos Saith Maen
An extraordinary boggy wilderness forming a col between the Wye Valley and Cwm Chwefri. Not a path often used, it seems, but distinct.
Looking to Gors Wen A view towards Gors Wen and the sinuous, upper Cwm Cwefri.
Looking to Gors Wen
A view towards Gors Wen and the sinuous, upper Cwm Cwefri.
Track to mountain grazing Traffic onto the mountain grazing has defined a wider path as we approach the boundary gate. I was surprised that there is no mark on the map regarding the National Trust ownership of this tract of land.
Track to mountain grazing
Traffic onto the mountain grazing has defined a wider path as we approach the boundary gate. I was surprised that there is no mark on the map regarding the National Trust ownership of this tract of land.
Van-body shed The use of redundant railway van bodies for sheds is a fabulous and honourable tradition, and they are of significant antiquity today, having come out of use in the early 1960s. This one is in very good general condition, with some rotted planking on the weather-side and a new roof. Tech-note: the earliest standard vans had pressed ends in two sections, while this has three sections. This change cut-in during 1952, which gives some age constraint.
Van-body shed
The use of redundant railway van bodies for sheds is a fabulous and honourable tradition, and they are of significant antiquity today, having come out of use in the early 1960s. This one is in very good general condition, with some rotted planking on the weather-side and a new roof. Tech-note: the earliest standard vans had pressed ends in two sections, while this has three sections. This change cut-in during 1952, which gives some age constraint.
Afon Chwefri The bed of the Afon Chwefri is filled with glacially-derived erratic boulders, fine material having been carried away by flowing water. Impossible to photograph under leaf cover is the waterfall over rock outcrop which lies between the trees.
Afon Chwefri
The bed of the Afon Chwefri is filled with glacially-derived erratic boulders, fine material having been carried away by flowing water. Impossible to photograph under leaf cover is the waterfall over rock outcrop which lies between the trees.
Afon Cwefri with bridge A light concrete slab bridge over the river with the road continuing parallel to the river.
Afon Cwefri with bridge
A light concrete slab bridge over the river with the road continuing parallel to the river.
Afon Chwefri The river runs through its bed of glacial boulders and runs away from the road before starting a rapid descent into the valley.
Afon Chwefri
The river runs through its bed of glacial boulders and runs away from the road before starting a rapid descent into the valley.
Upper Chwefri valley Attractive quiet countryside towards the edge of the uplands.
Upper Chwefri valley
Attractive quiet countryside towards the edge of the uplands.
The end of the road The lane ends by Gors-wen, with a rough track beyond towards the open hills.
The end of the road
The lane ends by Gors-wen, with a rough track beyond towards the open hills.
Lane near Gors-wen The start of the lane when coming off the hill.
Lane near Gors-wen
The start of the lane when coming off the hill.
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Saith-maen is located at Grid Ref: SN9460 (Lat: 52.232, Lng: -3.545)

Unitary Authority: Powys

Police Authority: Dyfed Powys

What 3 Words

///tweezers.hikes.moss. Near Rhayader, Powys

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Cwm Pistyll Saith-maen

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