Meini Gwyr, Buarth Arthur

Ordnance Survey map reference: SN 142267.

Landranger map number: 145.

Latitude: 51.54 degrees.

Longitude: -4.42 degrees.

Architecture: Embanked circle with portal / entrance stones.

Length of the major axis: 18.3+ metres.

Length of the minor axis: 18.3+ metres.

Height of the highest stone: 1.58 metres.

Shape: ?.

Number of stones in the circle originally: 17.

Number of stones in the circle now: 2.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 1

Burl rating of the circle: 3 (Ruined but recognisable).

Thom reference for the circle: -.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: -.

Excavations undertaken at this circle: 1938 Prof W.F.Grimes (records of which were destroyed during the war).

Details of any finds at this circle: Bronze age food vessel pottery fragments..

This circle is not in state care but is is maintained by Dyfed archaeological trust.

Access to the circle:

Only two badly leaning stones remain of what was once an impressive and important embanked stone circle. Also known as Buarth Arthur (Arthur's Yard) the site is maintained by Dyfed archaeological trust. An account by Edward Lhuyd in the late 17th century suggested that the site had 15 stones and possibly as many as 23. Excavations by Prof Grimes in 1938 however revealed that the bank originally contained 17 stones in a circle 18.3m (60ft) in diameter. He also established the stones were surrounded by an earthwork 3ft high and 120ft in diameter. At the west he found the remains of an entrance 6ft wide in the bank that was probably flanked by standing stones and a curb. The remains of a pit containing charcoal and filled with clay was discovered at the front of the entrance. Fragments of Bronze age pottery were also discovered in one of the stone holes suggesting a date for the site of around 2000BC (early bronze age).

180m west of Meni Gwyr two more stones can also be found, known as Yr Allor or 'The Altar', these stones of which there were originally three could be the remains of a chambered tomb or even a cove like the one at Avebury. The sites name Meni (large stone) and Gwyr (crooked) may refer to the size, shape and angle of the stones within the circle.

The present condition of the site does nothing to provide the visitor with an insight as to what the site was originally like. The two remaining stones stand at a height of 1.6m and lean badly towards the circles interior. The remains of the original bank are just visible and give a slight indication of the circles original size and location.