 The entrance to Rhiw chambered tomb looking northwest. |
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The chambered tomb of Rhiw stands
about 100 metres northeast its more famous neighbour the Maen
y Bardd and due to the amount of stones lying across the hillside
it is initially quite difficult to find. When seen from the east however
the form of a small square chamber becomes visible beneath a large slab-like
capstone supported by low uprights and the reason for alternate name
for the site 'The Greyhound's Kennel' becomes clear. The chamber is
thought to be the eastern terminal of a Neolithic barrow or cairn about
10 metres in length that appears to be partly built into the hillside
but the mound has been badly damaged and it is difficult to tell what
is part of the original structure and what is natural, it is possible
that there were other chambers that have since been destroyed.
Rhiw forms part of a line of prehistoric monuments that follow the southern slopes of Tal-y-Fan towards the pass through the hills at Bwlch y Ddeufaen, a route later utilised by the Romans for a road between Caerhun and Caernarfon and which offers spectacular views to the east across the valley of the River Conwy. |
 Looking south over the valley of the Afon Tafolog. |
 Close-up view of Rhiw burial chamber. |
