Maen Madoc facts for kids
The Maen Madoc (pronounced Myne MAD-ock) is a very old and tall stone, like a giant marker, found in Wales. It stands right next to an ancient Roman road called Sarn Helen. This area, the Brecon Beacons, was an important part of Roman Wales a long, long time ago. The stone is about 10 feet (3 meters) tall, which is like two grown-ups standing on top of each other!
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What is the Maen Madoc Stone?
The Maen Madoc stone is a type of menhir. A menhir is a large, upright stone that was usually placed by people in ancient times. These stones often marked special places or events. The Maen Madoc stone is thought to be a very old Christian burial marker. This means it was placed to remember someone who was buried there.
A Message from the Past
One side of the Maen Madoc stone has an inscription carved into it. This carving is in Latin, which was the language spoken by the Romans. The inscription reads: "DERVAC(IVS) FILIVS IVSTI (H)IC IACIT". In English, this means: "Of Dervacus, Son of Justus. He lies here." This message tells us that the stone marks the resting place of a person named Dervacus, whose father was Justus. It's like a very old tombstone!
The Mystery of the Name
Even though the stone is called Maen Madoc, which means "Madoc's Stone," no one knows who this "Madoc" was. The inscription clearly names Dervacus, not Madoc. This makes the stone's name a bit of a mystery. Perhaps Madoc was someone important who rediscovered the stone later, or maybe the name came from a local legend.
Where is Maen Madoc Located?
The Maen Madoc stone is found in the beautiful Brecon Beacons area of Wales. It is about one mile (2 kilometers) north of a place called Ystradfellte. The stone's location right next to the ancient Sarn Helen Roman road is very important. This road was a major route for the Romans when they were in Wales. The stone's base is surrounded by other deeply set stones, which might show the exact spot of the grave. You can find Maen Madoc on maps of the Brecon Beacons West and Central areas.
