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Sampson's Jack is a prehistoric standing stone located in Wales. The monument stands upon bedrock of Dinantian age, a geological formation dominated by limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks that originated during the Mississippian period. This ancient carboniferous geology provided the raw material from which the stone was quarried in prehistoric times.
The upright stone is part of a tradition of monumental marker-setting that flourished across Wales and Britain during the prehistoric period. Standing stones of this type served various functions within their communities, from territorial markers and gathering points to elements within ritual landscapes. Their prominence in the topography made them enduring landmarks that would have remained visible across generations.
Sampson's Jack is recognised as a site of archaeological and historical importance, protected under Cadw's conservation authority with the reference number GM133. This designation ensures the monument's preservation for future study and public appreciation. The stone stands as a tangible link to Wales's prehistoric heritage, anchored both in time and in the distinctive limestone geology of its location.
Sampson's Jack is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM133. View the official record →
Sampson's Jack is a prehistoric standing stone located in Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM133.
Sampson's Jack 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.
Sampson's Jack 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 GM133.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Limestone Quarry and Kiln at Oxwich (6.1 km), Tower NE of Oxwich Castle (6.2 km), Castell Oxwich (6.2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Sampson's Jack'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.
Sampson's Jack stands on Dinantian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks.