Llyn Brenig

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Brenig 2 Clocaenog Site Index Conwy Cromlechs Druids' Circle Llandrillo Moel ty Uchaf Llandudno Capel Garmon Barmouth Ffridd Newydd Dyffryn Ardudwy Harlech Llyn Brenig Beddgelert Rhos y Beddau Penbedw Denbighshire Gwytherin		A useful starting point is to stop at the visitor centre at SH 967 547 where you can get a handy guide to the Archaeology Trail for 30p which is to the northeast of the reservoir. They also sell a reprint of an article detailing the excavations before the reservoir was constructed. Park at the start of the walk at SH 983 574. To the northeast of the carpark there is a small mound in a field which was excavated but contained no evidence of burials and is believed to have been a “marker” cairn on the edge of the site on high ground. Llyn Brenig is beside the Clocaenog Forest where there are more sites. Barrow Boncyn Arian SH 983 573 Go over the stile and you will see the neat grass covered mound in a prominent position near the centre of the burial complex and the ring cairn which is thought to have been the site’s focal point. The site continues to the other side of the lake. The barrow is known as Boncyn Arian or Money Hillock. The barrow is about 16 metres across and excavations found a complex arrangement of three concentric wooden post circles surrounding a central grave dating back to 1600BC. Beyond these posts is a stone circle of 18 slabs with smaller stones between, another wooden post circle and finally a trench. All this is back under the mound. At a later date six cremation burials were inserted in the mound, two of them in urns. One contained the bones of a young adult and the other contained only two molar crowns and the earbones of an infant. View of the barrow Three more barrows can be seen from here, one on an island and the others on the far bank of the lake. There are others below the high water mark but the tops are said to be exposed in the summer.
		Ring Cairn SH 983 572 This ceremonial monument was in use throughout the 400 year history of the site. It is a low stone ring which was surrounded by a circle of posts. The original ring was constructed around 1680BC, the wall being around 50cm high and 2 metres wide. Stone is scarce at this site so the wall is not solid but built on a turf core. The twenty posts that surround the structure were believed to have been decorated. It was not primarily a burial monument as evidence of the first burial there was a cremation burial placed in the centre about 140 years after its construction followed by two more inside the northeast section of wall. The ring cairn Mesolithic camp The site at Brenig had been in use by man for a long time before the Bronze Age as evidence was found of the existence of a Mesolithic camp near the ring cairn where firepits have been dated back to 5700BC. Flint tools and chippings from that period have also been found. These were Stone age hunters, the first to inhabit the valley after the Ice Age. View of the ring cairn towards the barrow Either follow the instructions on the guide or continue on the path beside the lakeside and turn to the left to pass the old farmhouse. Go through the gates and head up the track. Follow the deepest ruts near the top where the couple of posts lead to the cairn circle.
		Brenig 8 Cairn Cairn Circle SH 987 564 This cairn is about 12 metres across and 29 large stones remain in the circle. At the centre is the site of a large rectangular rock lined grave pit. Many of the smaller stones were removed and used in nearby farm buildings.
		Continue to the Brenig Platform and Kerb Cairns
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