Maes Mynan Mound (The Gatehouse Record)

Maes Mynan Mound

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Maesmaenan; Aberwhiler; Coed Maesmynan

In the community of Caerwys.
In the historic county of Denbighshire.
Modern authority of Denbighshire.
Preserved county of Clwyd.

OS Map Grid Reference: SJ11287211
Latitude 53.23862° Longitude -3.33076°

Maes Mynan Mound has been described as a Timber Castle but is rejected as such.

There are no visible remains.

Description

A mound, reported to have been c.120 paces in circumference and c.6m high, was investigated in 1868 with no result, and again in 1968/9, prior to gravel-working, when it was rulled to be natural. A pygmy cup and remains of a cremation were recovered from the spoil-heap of the 1968/9 excavation, indicating either that the mound was a barrow, or that, in an area where barrows and natural landforms are difficult to distinguish, the mound was utilised as a barrow. The mound was in the past classified and subsequently rejected as, a castle mound. (Coflein–where categorised as Bronze Age round barrow?)

Large mound thought by Davies to be a barrow, by RCAHM to be a motte. Excavation in advance of gravel working (Drewett, 1969; see PRN 19202) proved it to be a natural mound. Excavation in 1896 of a section 3-4ft wide through upper part of mound although nothing of interest found (Davies 1929, 50). Extensive quarrying has taken place, which has destroyed the site. However, evidence of a cremation has been found on the site prior to ground working. A large mound on the site, thought to be a barrow, has been found to be natural. (CCC, 1988) The remains of a Bronze Age cremation and a pygmy cup were found on the tip. Now in NMW 72.34H/1-2 (Silvester, R J & Brassil, K S 1991, 7). Watching brief in 1992 failed to reveal any archaeological sites (Wayne, D 1992). Site now destroyed by quarrying (CPAT proj. 715). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

Comments

Although recording this as a motte in 1963, based on RCAHMW report, rejected as such by Hogg and King in 1970 based on Drewett report.

Sources of information, references and further reading

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s) for this site is/are 306940.
The County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number(s) for this site is/are 102455.

Books
- King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 106
  Davies, E., 1929, Prehistoric and Roman Remains of Denbighshire (Cardiff) p. 50
  RCAHMW, 1914, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Denbighshire (HMSO) p. 10 no. 21 online copy
Periodical Articles
- Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1970, 'Castles in Wales and the Marches (Additions and corrections to lists published in 1963 and 1967)' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 119 p. 119-124 (reject)
  Drewett, P.L., 1970, 'The excavation of a Bronze Age burial in a natural mound at Maesmynan, Denbighshire 1969' Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies Vol. 23 p. 411-16
  Drewett, P.L., 1969, 'Maesmynan' Archaeology in Wales Vol. 9 p. 9 no. 8
  Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
Other sources: Theses; 'grey' literature; in-house reports; unpublished works; etc.
- Wayne, D., 1992, An archaeological watching brief at Maesmynan quarry, Afonwen, Clwyd (CPAT report)
  Silvester, R.J. & Brassil, K.S., 1991, Mineral workings in Clwyd and Powys: an archaeological assessment (CPAT report)

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The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.

Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.
Minor archaeological investigations, such as watching brief reports, and some other 'grey' literature is most likely to be held by H.E.R.s but is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded here, or elsewhere, but some suggestions can be found here.

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Locations derived from OS grid references and from latitude longitiude may differ by a small distance.
Further information on mapping and location can be seen at this link.

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This record last updated before 1 February 2016

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