Standing Stones of Wales

Man through the ages has erected statues, buildings and monuments dedicated to fallen heroes, loved ones long gone loved ones and guardians of belief. Many are standing, some have fallen. The common thread of their existence was simply they were perceived as a place to seek guidance, a place to worship and remember, or just to simply meditate and reflect.

In Wales, standing stones were raised to embody some of these very ideals. These stones, most of which date to the Bronze Age, were often found placed singularly over the landscape. There are however, many place where pairs and even in some case groupings of stones have been found.

It is thought that the stones were originally erected to signify a gathering spot where the people could gather together to share their beliefs and no longer hide away. The stones were freestanding, with no support, other than the ground into which they were placed. These stones were the centerpieces of ceremonial sites.

These stone are found all over the United Kingdom. In many places there are concentrations of the stones and Wales is lucky to have the largest amount of the stones in the country still able to be viewed up close by the curious and interested people of today.

Some stones are still standing, others have tumbled to the ground and still others are somewhere in between. Some have been incorporated into a hedge or fence line, others are partially covered by brush and some still stand to be seen for miles, as though the stand guard over man and beast, earth and sky.

I would like to highlight some of the stones that are found in South Wales. Many of the stones and the surrounding area are caught up in the legends and myths of Wales. In particular, the area of the Gower peninsula in South Wales is rife with stones that lend themselves to King Arthur and his followers. Stones that move and stones that have mystical capabilities abound.

When you talk to some of the people in South Wales, they will tell you standing stones have been around seemingly forever. They dot the countryside, often standing alone or in small groupings, and then in other places have been grouped together to form stone circles.