Maen Llia facts for kids
Maen Llia is a very old and tall standing stone found in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Powys, Wales. It sits on open moorland, which is a type of wild, open land. This huge stone is a popular place for tourists to visit.
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What is Maen Llia?
Maen Llia is a giant rock that stands upright. It is made from a type of rock called conglomerate. This rock comes from the Old Red Sandstone period. The stone is about 3.7 meters (12 feet) tall. It is also 2.8 meters (9 feet) wide and 0.6 meters (2 feet) thick. The stone has a rough diamond shape. Parts of it are covered in soft green moss.
How Old is Maen Llia?
Nobody knows exactly how old Maen Llia is. Its original purpose is also a mystery. However, experts believe it was placed there during the Bronze Age. This was a time thousands of years ago when people started using bronze tools. The stone might have been used for ceremonies or as a marker.
Where is Maen Llia Located?
Maen Llia is easy to find. It is only about 30 yards from a small road. This road runs north from the village of Ystradfellte. Ystradfellte is in an area known as Waterfall Country. The road continues towards the small village of Heol Senni and then to Brecon. Brecon is the main town of Brecknockshire.
Other Ancient Stones Nearby
Close to Maen Llia, there is a low, round bank covered in heather. This is called a henge. A henge is an ancient earthwork. Another important standing stone is called Maen Madoc. It is about 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) south of Maen Llia. Maen Madoc is near an old Roman road called Sarn Helen. Unlike Maen Llia, Maen Madoc has clear writing on it. Some people reported seeing faint letters on Maen Llia in the mid-1900s. But today, no writing is visible.
The Legend of Maen Llia
There is a local legend about Maen Llia. People say that the stone sometimes goes down to the Afon Llia river to drink. This story probably comes from how the stone's shadow moves. When the sun is low in the evening, its long shadow stretches across the moorland. The shadow can reach all the way to the river. This makes it look like the stone is moving towards the water.
