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Cefn Esgair-Carnau round cairn is a prehistoric burial monument situated on Dinantian limestone bedrock in Wales. The cairn represents the funerary tradition of Bronze Age communities who constructed these stone mounds across the upland regions of Britain and Ireland. Built upon geology comprising Mississippian-age limestone with subsidiary sandstone and mudstone layers, the monument would have been constructed from locally available stone cleared during the initial development of the surrounding landscape.
The rounded form of the cairn indicates a typical Bronze Age burial practice, with the accumulation of stone creating a prominent marker visible across the surrounding terrain. The underlying limestone geology would have provided abundant material for construction, whilst the exposed upland location afforded good visibility across the landscape—a practical consideration that may have influenced site selection alongside any spiritual or territorial significance.
The monument is protected by Cadw, the Welsh heritage organisation, under the reference BR323, recognising its importance as an archaeological record of prehistoric settlement and burial practice. Cefn Esgair-Carnau thus contributes to the wider understanding of Bronze Age communities in Wales and their use of the upland environment.
Cefn Esgair-Carnau round cairn (N) is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR323. View the official record →
Cefn Esgair-Carnau round cairn is a prehistoric burial monument situated on Dinantian limestone bedrock in Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference BR323.
Cefn Esgair-Carnau round cairn (N) dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a round cairn. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Cefn Esgair-Carnau round cairn (N) is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is BR323.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Pillow Mound at Bryn y Gwyddel (8.1 km), Iron Ore Scours and Patch Workings at Winch Fawr, Merthyr Tydfil (8.7 km), Site of Hirwaun Ironworks (9.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Cefn Esgair-Carnau round cairn (N)'s history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Cefn Esgair-Carnau round cairn (N) stands on Dinantian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks.