A low circular mound is sited on the prominent south summit of Pendinas hill some 20m south-east of the Wellington Monument. The low mound is approximately 9m diameter and standing 0.3m-0.5m high. Traces of an encircling kerb of stone slabs can be seen in places through the turf. Although currently undated, it looks to be a well-preserved example of an Early Bronze Age round barrow. Its intact profile would suggest that it has not been previously dug into or explored.

The barrow was first surveyed for the plan which accompanies the 1963 published excavation report (Forde et al. 1963), and was confirmed in a more recent geophysical survey of the hillfort by Archaeology Wales. It was re-surveyed with restivity by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust in winter 2024 as part of the Pendinas Hillfort Project. A small circle depicted on the summit of the south fort on the 1819 Nanteos Estate Map of Pendinas and environs (DI2007_0810), would appear to be the earliest depiction of the barrow, prior to the construction of the Wellington Monument. This was first identified by Jon Dollery of RCAHMW.

T. Driver, RCAHMW. Sept 2023

References:

Forde, C. D. Griffiths, W. E. Hogg, A. H. A. and Houlder, C. H., 1963. Excavations at Pen Dinas, Aberystwyth, Archaeologia Cambrensis, Vol. CXII, 125-153.

Cofnod Safle

Pendinas Round Barrow