ARCHAEOLOGIA CAMBRENSIS Journal of the Cambrian Archaeological Association VOLUME 127 (1978)

SH 352679. Excavations revealed a Maglemosian Mesolithic occupation deposit dating to the beginning of 7th millennium BC, partly sealed by a well-preserved EBA kerbed cairn previously examined in 1956. The Meso industry consisted chiefly of blunted points and scrapers; other implements included two tranchet axes. Three 14C dates were obtained.

SN 751869, 754867. A small platform cairn covered an elongated grave pit with a socket for an upright post; there were no gravegoods and bones had not survived. A ring cairn had enclosed stakes, pits (including a central pit with a Collared Urn), white quartzite, and remains of a child burnt in situ. Appended is a list of cairns in the Hirnant area of the Upper Rheidol valley.

Detailed description of the architecture and history of the castle, held to be almost entirely the work of William the Marshal (1189-1219), apart from a great hall (mid 13th century) alongside the original one and a 17th century thickening of part of the curtain: 'slighting' blew out the fronts of towers and removed the parapets (now restored). Remarkable features include the fortified cave used as a boathouse (with a twin-lancet window paralleled in the large round donjon above), the round front to only one of the twin towers of the outer gate, the inner gate in the flank of an apsidal tower and a hollow flat-topped platform for an 'engine' to attack ships on the river. D F R