Gors Fawr: Stone Circle 300422

With sixteen low stones Gors Fawr Stone Circle is about 22m in diameter so the azimuth of any horizon point may be varied by as much as 0.3° by moving from one side to the other. Survey was from the centre. Burl has claimed that the stones are deliberately graded, with the highest to the south (1976) or south-south-west (1979) but many are leaning or fallen.

Located on commonage at the southern foot of the Preseli Hills about 1km north of Mynachlog Ddu village it has survived because of its small stones. The other stone circles in this area were destroyed at the behest of a clergy incensed by their pagan associations.

South is on the left hand slope of a dip that has lunar major standstillLunistice positions vary cyclically over an 18.6 year period but are fairly static for more than a year at either end of the range at the bottom [Pic].

North is on the left hand slope of a dip that has lunar major standstillLunistice positions vary cyclically over an 18.6 year period but are fairly static for more than a year at either end of the range at the bottom [Pic].

The best horizon segment is to the north-west where it can be no accident that summer cross-quarters are marked by the summit of Foel Cwmcerwyn, highest of the Preseli Mountains. The ridge to the north and east of the summit has been used to measure the summer part of the year and the entire lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. range. Notice that the lunar eighths both have good marks.

The equinox is at Foel Cwm­cerwyn's southern foot and the halfway point in time between the two is marked usably if not accurately by a prominent hump on the ridge. South of the equinox, another hill spans about four weeks.

The south-western horizon is a very level slope, lacking in notable features. Its southern intersect with nearer ground is near the zodiac limit.

To the north-north-east lies Carnmenyn, reputed source of the bluestones transported to Stone­henge. Nearby (134m) in the same direction is Standing Stone pair 304281. Its axial alignment to the south-west indicates a featureless horizon and to the north-east the view is obscured by trees but the axis is consistent with orientation to the lunar eighths.

North-eastwards, the major end of the lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. range is currently obscured by trees and a house but the minor end is on the highest part of Bryngwyn hill, from where the lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. range runs down the hill and onwards. Lunar sixteenths are in the dip at the bottom of the slope and on the broad top of Maes y Garn where there was once a cairn. The summer cross-quarter occurs at a break in the slope of Foel Drych and a half-month bracket for it is at the northern foot of Bryngwyn hill.

Half a month to the south of the cross-quarter is Foel Drych's central dip/break, then the equinox / cross-quarter mid­point is at the southern end of the hilltop and the dip at the southern foot of the hill is an equinoctial quarter-month.

The south-eastern ridgetop is a quarter-month south of the winter cross-quarter. Then the lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. range runs down from lunar minor-standstillLunistice positions vary cyclically over an 18.6 year period but are fairly static for more than a year at either end of the range at the top of the slope to its mid­point in the dip and on up the next slope.

The chambered tomb of Carn Besi could have been used as a marker for both the cross-quarter's half-month bracket and/or a lunar 32ndth as it would have silhouetted against the horizon before it was destroyed.

• Gors Fawr Standing Stone Pair is c.130m to the north-north-east.
• Rhos Fach Standing Stone Pair is 1km north.
• Cwm Garw Standing Stone Pair is 2.3km to the north-west.
• Waun Lwyd Standing Stone Pair is 3km to the north-east.

Technical Notes | Top

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References

• BURL, AUBREY 1979 Rings of Stone. London: Frances Lincoln. pp184-185.
• BURL, AUBREY 1976 The Stone Circles of The British Isles. Newhaven & London: Yale University Press. pp256-257.
• FIGGIS, N.P. 2001 Prehistoric Preseli a field guide. Machynlleth: Atelier Productions. p98, no.100.
• National Monuments Record of Wales: Coflein database - site details.