Bryn Cader Faner facts for kids
Bryn Cader Faner is a very old and interesting stone structure in Wales. It's a special type of Bronze Age monument called a round cairn. You can find it in an area called Ardudwy in Gwynedd, near the small village of Talsarnau.
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What is Bryn Cader Faner?
Bryn Cader Faner is like a low, round mound of stones. It measures about 8.7 meters (or 28.5 feet) across. What makes it unique are the 18 thin, pointy stones that stick up from the mound. These stones look like jagged pillars.
How Old Is It?
This ancient site is incredibly old! Experts believe Bryn Cader Faner was built during the late third millennium BC. That means it dates back more than 4,000 years ago, during the Bronze Age.
What Was Its Original Purpose?
A "cairn" is usually a pile of stones built as a monument or a burial place. In the middle of Bryn Cader Faner, there's a hole. This hole was made by people looking for treasure in the 1800s. It shows where a "cist" or a grave might have been. A cist is a small stone box or chamber used for burials.
What Happened to the Stones?
Originally, Bryn Cader Faner might have had around 30 pillars. Each of these stones could have been about 2 meters (or 6.5 feet) tall. Sadly, some of the stones were damaged over time. Before World War II, the British army used the area for gunnery practice. This caused damage to many of the stones on the east side of the monument.
What Does the Name Mean?
The name Bryn Cader Faner comes from the Welsh language. It is thought to mean 'the hill with the chair with the flag' or 'the hill of the throne with the flag'. This name gives us a hint about how people might have seen this special place long ago.
