The North Western Entrance Looking Toward Llysfaen
 

© Kanovium Project

Taken during early winter 2002, a photograph of the north west gate, the rampart here especially to the left of the gate is quite well preserved, above left is the highest point of the fort and the height renders a rampart superfluous so it simply fades out just out of shot.  This is about the centre of the low lying area, not really suitable as the whole area seems made up of low transverse gullies and much limestone pavement.  The low point far right is the now filled in mine or sink hole.  I remember it back in the 1970’s as about 20 feet deep and full of farm and builders refuse, this tipping has continued and now the hole is almost filled.  At the time of the excavations a strange story was current that it was either a hole to the underworld, or a hole to fairyland, and that while the finder would discover gold he would die for his pains, having a slight problem of getting volunteers to dig it out he eventually listed the services of several local miners who with the aid of some equipment managed to totally empty it, finding nothing for their trouble they did, however, live to tell the tale that it did not contain a golden chair.  In the background is the equally moody cliffs of Craig yr Forwyn, which along with some post medieval bell mines also has remains of Georgian quarries and adits.  All these limestone cliffs are foreboding, mostly because they are north or east facing and only receive the sun for a short time of the day.  The fort is especially moody, with an air that quite a lot has happened here in the past, but its all very quiet now.

I commented on my Introduction to this section that certain areas of the fort are unsuitable for occupation, this image shows this factor well.  A sunken road enters from the gate and runs across the image, the area either side is very steep and rolling, add the rampart, and the mine or sink hole and there would be little room available.  The hole could be significant, in either a religious or industrial context, copper mines have been noted at a hillfort on the Welsh border, or possibly could have indeed been thought by the original occupants to be a passage into the underworld, and this religious factor could be linked with the votive spring and the hoard of 4th century material found there.  While Gardner’s miners found the pit empty it would be attractive but futile to attempt to consider at what period someone else emptied it of the possible votive material which may have been deposited there.

© Kanovium Project

 Medieval finds from across the valley above at Llysfaen, all in lead or pewter, they illustrate that lead was a useful local commodity, the whorls illustrate the area was wealthy as in medieval times only the rich engaged in the wool industry, the items are left to right.  Three lead spindle whorls, the first decorated with round dots, the second with geometric swirls and ring and dot, the third possibly the oldest of the three in the form of a wheel.  The fourth is a pewter finger ring with a shield shaped bezel, possibly heraldic, featuring a voided cross surrounded by a geometric pattern, finally a good quality pewter buckle which may have come either from a shoe, or maybe armour, all at just slightly bigger than full size. they date from the period 1300-1500 A.D.