Mynydd Rhiw - Bronze Age Cairn Cemetery & Neolithic Axe Factory!! Lleyn Peninsular, Gwynedd

The Citizen Cairn is (quite literally) blown away by both the breadth of the human story to be found upon this small corner of western Lleyn Peninsular... and the elements. Four great Bronze Age cairns stand in a row upon Mynydd Rhiw, overlooking the small, eponymous village. Although just some 9 miles(ish) distant from the popular seaside resort of Pwllhelli, the western Lleyn Peninsular might as well be on another planet in respect of ethereal vibe. There was apparently once a fifth monument crowning the hill's summit, this subsequently destroyed by the MOD radar station now occupying said position. OK, needs must for defence, but, surely??? Nevertheless, here we still retain a very substantial prehistoric cemetery, the largest cairn some 75ft in diameter and 10ft high. Somewhat windy, though! But, hey... there is much more to Mynydd Rhiw which does not immediately greet the eye: it is the site of a Neolithic Axe Factory, similar to the arguably more celebrated example upon Penmaenmawr to the east... or the famous site upon The Langdale Pikes in Cumbria. Apparently only discovered in 1956, a series of pits were excavated proving a seam of 'specialist' shale, some 100ft by 20ft, had been mined back in the day for the production of enigmatic Neolithic axes.... the enterprise now evidenced by nothing more than some grassy hollows. The Citizen Cairn met a local here consumed by the wonder of all this on his door step. Good man! #prehistoric #bronzeage #neolithic #wales #gwynedd