Ffostyll South Long Barrow, Llanelieu, Breconshire, Powys, Wales, British Isles [Map]

Long Barrows of the Cotswolds. Ffostyll South Long Barrow [Map]

Brecknockshire, 23 S.W. Parish of Llanelieu, 5*.

Latitude 52° 00' 21". Longitude 3° 11' 47". Height above O.D., a little above 1000 feet.

This mound was visited on August 4th, 1921, when it was recorded that this and the adjacent one stood in a field, cultivation being carried on right up to the edge of the mound; and that it had been much disturbed. It was also noticed that the remains of a passage or chamber were visible. The mound was subsequently explored by Mr. C. E. Vulliamy from whose account in Arch. Camb. the following description is taken:-

The axis is 21 degrees east of the true north. Both mounds had been disturbed. "At first glance [the southern one] appeared to have suffered a more searching devastation. Here I found that a vast amount of stone had been moved from the southern end, and there was considerable disturbance in the area which I expected to contain the principal cist. Furthermore a large covering-stone lay tilted on the face of the mound. On examination, I came to the conclusion that neither of these disturbances had touched the burial-chamber, which, though its form was not clear, was traceable in the centre of the highest part of the barrow. From information supplied by Mr. Gwillym, the tenant of the farm, I learned that stone had been removed from the lower [southern] end of the barrow about forty-five years ago, to supply material for road-making; and at that time quantities of human bones had come to light. I could find no account of the higher [northern and central] disturbance." . . The length of the mound is 108 feet and its greatest breadth about 65 feet. The burial-chamber is ii feet by 4 feet. Arrangements were made to excavate it; work was begun on September 20th, 1921 and lasted four days. ''We found that the eastern side [of the burial-chamber] had collapsed inwards." The side-stones appeared to have been artificially trimmed; their dimensions are from 2 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 2 inches in breadth, from 5 feet to 6 feet 6 inches in depth and from 4 inches to 8 inches in thickness. "A comparatively small slab which we found tilted against the northern end of the chamber may have been part of an additional covering-stone, since the main capstone is not large enough to have roofed the entire cist. . We had not attained a depth of more than a foot when we found a layer of burnt bones, mostly in very small fragments, too small for exact identification, except in a few cases, but for the most part apparently not human, and probably representing the remains of goats, oxen, pigs and other domesticated animals. There were a few pinches of charcoal in this stratum. At a depth of 2 feet to 3 feet 6 inches (but not lower) we discovered human remains in abundance, throughout the whole length of the chamber.

"The bones were in the utmost confusion; only in a few instances were they in anatomical relation to each other, and by far the greater number were split and broken." The following is a summary of what was found:-

70 fragments of crania and lower jaws.

36 metacarpal, metatarsal and phalanges.

6 vertebrae.

30 detached teeth.

135 fragments of long bones.

240 miscellaneous fragments, including bones other than human.

"Of the human remains the most interesting are:-

(1) The frontal bone and greater part of left parietal of a small adult skull, remarkably dolichocephalic;

(2) A male frontal bone, with strongly marked supra-orbital ridges •

(3) Other portions of skulls.

". . It was found that the remains were those of not fewer than nine individuals, of both sexes and various ages. I do not know how to account for:-

(1) The absence of any fragment that could be definitely assigned to a pelvic bone;

(2) The surprisingly small number of vertebrae discovered;

(3) The fewness of carpal and metacarpal bones;

(4) The entire disappearance of the greater part of the skeletal remains, assuming that the bodies were buried intact. But it is probable that we are here dealing with an ossuary, in which only selections were deposited.

The best specimens were submitted to Sir Arthur Keith, and his report may be thus condensed:-

"The bones show the 'dry, earthy texture' and in some cases the 'black, metallic surface impregnation' which is characteristic of remains of ancient date. By an elaborate but reliable method of reconstruction it was found that the cephalic index of the best preserved cranium was 70 - ^the skull was nearly 22mm. narrower than previously recorded neolithic skulls from Wales. The individual had a 'very narrow, relatively high, and rather small head.' Presumably the cranium is that of a man, about 40 years of age. Among the lower jaws was that of an old woman - 'she must have had a face cast in a small, almost delicate mould.' The astragali show well marked 'squatting facets.'. . Although the principal remains were inhumations, untouched by fire, Sir Arthur has identified, from fragments, the cremated remains of a youth and of a very young child. In addition to the non-human species mentioned above, there were parts of the skull and jaws of a cat.' The people were of short stature, the adult males being estimated by Mr. Vulliamy at 5 feet 4 inches.

"No traces of pottery were discovered, but we found three pieces of flint within the cist. ... Fragments of flint and occasional implements are scattered over the field in which the tumuli are situated, and over other fields in the vicinity.

"Photographs of the bones, plans of the barrow and chamber, and an account of the excavation have been placed with the official records of the Ancient Monuments Board for Wales (H.M. Office of Works). Typical specimens of the human remains were presented to the Royal College of Surgeons, and accepted by the President for the Museum of the College."

This mound and the adjacent one (No. 4) are now both scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Act.

On a plan of this mound, kindly lent me by Mr. Vulliamy, he says:- "A recent excavation (July 4th, 1922) made by me outside the northern end of the chamber has revealed cremated burials (including that of a very young child). The interred remains of one adult, unburnt animal remains (pig or goat), fragments of rude pottery - impure clay mixed with quartz grains - and no fewer than 17 pieces of flint and chert, all showing signs of fire. Charcoal in streaks, burnt earth and burnt stones were found."

Arch. Camb. LXXVI. (7 S. Vol. i), 1921, 301-305. (Plans of mound and chamber and section). 26. zJ. 1923 pp. 320-324.

T. Price, op. cit,

Brecon and Radnor Express, October 13th, 1921