18.11.13

Teulu Sir Fôn

R. Cecil Hughes, Maes Oglan, Llangaffo, sef mab i gyfnither Evan John Roberts (Taid Moss Bank) … yn dal yn fyw?

 01248 430289

 3 o gerrig hynafol ar dir y fferm – gweler The Morien Institute!?

 http://www.morien-institute.org/maesoglan.html

The following text is taken from the above Morien Institute link …

 Over the spring and summer of 2003, the Morien Institute engaged in a series of expeditionary field trips to the southwest area of Ynys Môn to explore the remnants of the ancient stone science left by our distant ancestors.
     Beginning on March 21st, the first place visited was the ancient stone chamber known as Bryn Celli Ddu, where the pre-dawn mist still hung around the local hollows, and the cows in adjacent fields watched as we waited to photograph the Alban Eilir (Vernal Equinox) sunrise.
     After sunrise, the researchers left to pay an early morning visit to the 12ft and 14ft standing stones at Bryn Gwyn Farm, and chanced upon the farmer, Mr Alun Roberts, who pointed out that, on the 14ft stone there are three 'grooves' which appear to have been cut by those ancient people who erected them.
     He also told that, in the recent past, some visitors to the stones arrived to witness an interaction between the largest stone and the sun, which on a certain day or days of the year, when low in the sky and directly behind the largest stone, shone only through the three grooves, casting 'three rays of light' onto three smaller stones in the adjacent field.
     Meandering on slowly through the narrow winding lanes that stretch between Brynsiencyn and Llangaffo, it wasn't very long before researchers found themselves being uncannily 'drawn' to the area that has been known to generations of local people as 'Maesoglan'. And it was there, just as the road turns sharply towards Llangaffo, that the stones are first encountered, standing proud on the local horizon against the majestic backdrop of Eryri.
     Many more field trips to 'Maesoglan' over the following six months were undertaken with the friendly support and advice of the landowner, the farmer Mr R. Cecil Hughes, who brought other standing stones in nearby fields to our attention. The pictures to the left are of some of the stones at Maesoglan and adjacent farms, which must at one time have been part of a substantial megalithic complex covering many square miles in area between Brynsiencyn and Llangaffo.
     All the stones were photographed, they were also 'marked' at various times over the spring and summer on the GPS unit to get an average of many readings for a more accurate placement, and during several visits a large number of compass bearings are taken towards the feature-rich, distant horizon of Snowdonia mountains, to determine the directions of solsticial and equinoctial sunrises.
     One particular direction stood out immediately as something special, and compass bearings taken from one of the ancient standing stones in the field at Maesoglan indicated it was precisely in the direction of the Alban Arthan (Winter Solstice) sunrise – a picture of the midwinter event in 2003 is shown immediately below.
     It is just above a poem which had been composed more than 25 years ago whilst the poet, Mr. T. Llewelyn Williams, of Bangor, Gwynedd, had become 'enchanted' by the Ancient 'Awen' following an earlier Alban Arthan sunrise visit on a crisp midwinter morning in 1977.
     As can be gleaned from the poem, and as was witnessed by T. Llewelyn Williams in 1977, and again in 2003 along with R. Cecil Hughes and John Michael, the sun at the time of the shortest day rises over Yr Aran when viewed from one particular standing stone at Maeosoglan. This is no coincidence, and indicates without doubt that the sacred landscapes of the druids of Ynys Môn were as astronomically descriptive of the druidic solar drama as the ritual landscapes described by Morien in ancient Morgannwg. And Maesoglan was just one of the many sacred places in North Wales where these observations were made, and ritual initiations undertaken.

 T. Llewlyn Williams … to those of you who remember community life in Hirael, you may be interested to read the recently published poetry book, "Un O Hiral", written by T. Ll. Williams. Born in Hirael in 1923 (and now 84 (in 2008)), he reminisces about life in the quarrying and seafaring families that populated that part of Bangor. His poetry extends beyond Hirael and will appeal to those who have an affinity with the mountains of North Wales, nature conservation and the spirit of Snowdonia.

 http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=8336

 The following text is taken from the above Megalithic link … 

 Maesoglan 1
Map Ref: SH452674
Landranger Map Number: 114

 Maesoglan 2
Map Ref: SH453673

Maesoglan 3
Map Ref: SH454673

 When we went to look at the Perthiduon Dolmen just south west of Brynsiencyn, we lost Sem, his brother Rob, and Jeremy. When we later met up, they told us of a discovery of stones in a field, which we again later stumbled on by coincidence on the way from the Bodowyr Dolmen to the Bryn Gwyn Standing Stones. "Oooh there's a stone! and another! ...three stones!", and the convoy of vehicles soon pulled over, and 15 folk entered the field. The stones are between knee and thigh height, and all quite dark in appearance, but I expect this could well be discolouring from livestock rubbing against the stone, as has been observed on parts of other stones. They are adjacent the area named "Maesoglan" on the map, and have grid references approximately SH452674, SH453673, and SH454673. Not listed on CARN, not in any guidebooks, and not on the map – these three stones stand atop a ridge with commanding views toward Snowdonia, and overlook the colossal stones of Bryn Gwyn. Some are doubtful of their authentic antiquity, suggesting they are perhaps scratching posts; however 3 scratching posts in 1 field seems somewhat unusual. Additionally, it could be argued that the stones are sympathetic to the respective hills that are behind them. The easternmost stone is more steeply curved on its west side, mimicking the curved mountain on the east of the valley; in a similar fashion, the westernmost stone has a plateau on its top, similar to the mountain on the west side of the valley.
     e map of the area, I believe the mountains in question are, 1) to the east, Moel Eilio, which has a cairn at its summit, and 2) to the west, Mynydd Mawr, which also has a cairn at its summit, and another cairn at the north east end of the plateau ridge. Betws Garmon lies between the mountains. When visiting the Bryn Gwyn stones, we had a visit from a jolly Welsh farmer, who replied to the question concerning the 3 stones to the north, that the stones "had been there as long as anyone could remember". Given the stones' absence from any documentary sources, there is a big question over their authenticity.
     On the other hand, the amount of monuments that still abound on the island, and extensive personal experience of Ancient Anglesey tentatively suggests these could be something thus far overlooked.

Here's another link with photographs …


Another group of stones lie to the south east, just off the A4080 …

Bryn Gwyn Stones
Map Ref: SH462669  Landranger Map Number: 114
Two enormous stones, dwarfing anybody next to them. When I visited, the tallest was crowned with ivy. As usual, both were covered with lichens.
     Access: Parked up at a layby on a bend on the A4080 from Newborough to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, just west of Brynsiencyn. Follow the line of trees and hedges, splitting two fields apart, going to the left or right side of the line (the stones are in the line of the hedges, so either side gives access).
     About 3 minutes walk down, in the hedge you will see the stones. Very easy access. 

 George Smith of the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust writes:
The Bryn Gwyn stones were recorded as being part of a stone circle in the early 18th century, apparently mainly demolished in the early 19th century. We carried out a geophysical survey in 2008 and found evidence of a possible circular feature on the north side of the 2 existing stones. In 2009 we carried out a small excavation of this area and found three stone pits, confirming the presence of the remains of the stone circle.
     In Dec 2010 we did some more excavation and now have found the position of all but one of the stones of the circle, which seems to have been 8 in number, plus another stone that lay within the circle. There were also some small pits or post-holes, one of which had a cremation of a young juvenile/infant.


Eric Jones has captioned his photograph …

Maesoglan has been the site of a farmhouse for well over a thousand years. The first inhabitant whose name is known was Evan Wyddel Ap Meredydd Ddu who was born here in 1290. Later the farm belonged to the Owen family of Bodeon, near Bodorgan SH3766, and in the 17thC was the seat of Henry Owen, who with his brother, Colonel Sir Hugh Owen, played an active role in the Civil War.
     The whole area has a density of ancient remains, Castell Bryn-gwyn, Caer Leb, Bodowyr burial chamber, and further to the north west, Bryn Celli Ddu passage grave.

Further links and photos to follow …

 In the property details of a house which was for sale recently in the area … 
Location... Location... Location... Says it all about Bryn Gwyn Bach a traditional Welsh farmhouse which Is a registered small holding, believed to be late 17th century. The property Is surrounded by historical and noteworthy sites including the ancient Castell Bryn Gwyn settlement, adjoining field with we understand two of the tallest standing stones in Wales and due north west a nearby nature reserve.


Postiwyd gan am

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