Archaeologia Cambrensis 1867. Cromlech, Lligwy [Map].
This cromlech, popularly called "Coetan Arthur" (Arthur’s Quoit), in the parish of Penrhos-Lligwy, is situated a few yards to the left of the road leading from Redwharf to Lligwy bay, in a field belonging to the farm of Lligwy. The ground to the north and west rises to a somewhat higher level than that upon which the cromlech rests, but to the south and southeast it slopes down gradually towards the beach over against Moelfra roads. The view in this direction is most varied and extensive, embracing the whole of Redwharf bay, on the opposite shore of which may be seen the fortified post known as "Bwrdd Arthur," and: beyond it Penmaenmawr ; further to the left is "Ynys Seiriol" (Puffin Island), and in the distance, still further to the left, Ormeshead and a broad expanse of sea; while, to the south-west the magnificent range of Caernarvonshire hills fills up the background. Llanallgo church is half-a-mile to the south-west; Moelfra, the scene of: the disastrous wreck of the “Royal Charter,” about a mile and a-quarter to the east. It would be difficult to meet with a finer position than this whereon to conStruct the last resting-place of some renowned chieftain. The cromlech, as may be seen from the accompanying ground-plan and sketches, is of large dimensions. The cap-stone is four-sided in form, and has an average thickness of three feet six inches. Its greatest length is sixteen feet and breadth thirteen. The W., N., E., and S. sides measure respectively thirteen, twelve, ten, and nine feet. It is a large mass of limestone rock, much waterworn on the S. side, where may be seen regular and parallel grooves running down from the upper surface to the under side of the stone. The other sides are without these markings, and the one facing S.E. has a nearly plane surface. The supporters still remaining are ten in number, though three of them are so small as scarcely to deserve the name. The capstone rests upon five of these, viz., upon two large flat stones on either side of the eastern entrance, upon two of those on the S. side, and upon the long stone on the N.W. side. This last is cracked through, and has, together with the one parallel to it, a considerable inclination to the S.E., caused apparently by the great weight of the superincumbent mass. Between these two there appears to have been a narrow entrance. The three stones nearest the N. corner appear on the groundplan on rather too large a scale. The opening between the two supporting stones on the E. side is low and narrow at one point, but it is possible to crawl in through it. The largest supporter is that nearest the N.E. corner ; this also is cracked through at the narrow end. Several stones lie outside the chamber at this point; one of them adjoins the last-named supporter, and appears to be a fragment broken from it. Another stone further off is firmly embedded in the earth; it either filled up the open space on the N.E. side, or else has been a supporter in another chamber which may formerly have existed here. The ground on the NW. and part of the N.E. side is on a level with the top of: the supporters, and I consider this to be part of the mound at one time covering the chamber. I can find no record of any trace of interment having been found | here, neither is it likely that such should be met with, for the cromlech bears the appearance of having existed in its present condition for very many years. The total: height of the structure above ground is about six feet. After making the sketches and ground-plan, I was induced to make another visit to the cromlech in consequence of having seen the assertion both in Miss A. Llwyd’s History of Anglesey and in Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary, that "one end rests upon a rock." My own belief is that all the supporters are detached fragments, but one or two of them are so deeply embedded in the soil, that it is difficult to speak with certainty on the point. During this second inspection I found that there were one or two slight inaccuracies in my plan, the chief being the making of the N.E. supporter too long, thereby not allowing a sufficient space between it and the large flat stone at the N.E. corner. It is matter for congratulation that this venerable monument is situated on Lord Boston’s estate, where its preservation is sure to be well looked after. There is too much reason to fear that remains of a like nature in the island have been either seriously damaged or destroyed within the last few years, and that it would now be difficult to enumerate twenty-six cromlechs, the number mentioned In an old list as being then in existence in Anglesey.
W. Wynn WilIams, Jun.
Menaifron, Jan. 1, 1867.
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