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Gwempa Standing Stone is a prehistoric monolith situated in Wales, protected as a scheduled monument by Cadw under reference CM316. The stone rises from bedrock composed of Lower Devonian rocks, specifically interbedded sandstone and conglomerate formed during the Early Devonian period. This geological foundation, laid down over 400 million years ago in marine and deltaic environments, provides a stable base for the monument and reflects the ancient landscape in which it was erected.
Standing stones such as Gwempa typically date to the Bronze Age or Neolithic period, when they served various ceremonial, territorial or commemorative purposes within prehistoric Welsh communities. The monument's presence on Lower Devonian geology distinguishes it from standing stones located on other bedrock types across Wales, which would have presented different working conditions for its erection.
The stone survives today as evidence of sustained human occupation and ritual activity in the Welsh landscape during prehistory. Its formal protection by Cadw ensures the preservation of this significant archaeological feature for future study and public appreciation, contributing to understanding of prehistoric monumental practices in Wales.
Gwempa Standing Stone is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM316. View the official record →
Gwempa Standing Stone is a prehistoric monolith situated in Wales, protected as a scheduled monument by Cadw under reference CM316.
Gwempa Standing Stone dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a standing stone. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Gwempa Standing Stone 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 CM316.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Kymer's Canal and Pwll y Llygoed Tramroad Bridge (4.3 km), Spudder's Bridge (5.4 km), Glanstony Aqueduct, Trimsaran (6.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Gwempa Standing Stone'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.
Gwempa Standing Stone stands on Lower Devonian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded.