Penycrocbren Early Lead Mining Landscape

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A seemingly flat landscape that holds secrets beneath its surface invites closer inspection. Zooming in on the annotated areas reveals more. The Penycrocbren ridge is traversed by Glyndwr's Way, a trail following an ancient road believed to have Roman roots. This road measures 26.5m x 23.5m and features a single turf rampart standing 0.8m high with a single gateway on the north side that spans 3m wide. Excavations in 1960 uncovered the interior, which was covered by a floor of chippings, substantial gate posts at the entrance, and pottery dating back to the mid-to-late 2nd century AD. The placename Pen-y-crocbren translates to Gallows Top, and a gibbet mound lies just west of the Roman fort, built upon an older prehistoric burial site. In 1938, archaeologists discovered remains of gibbeting irons with a skull inside near this location, which are now on display at St. Fagans National History Museum. Former lead mining shafts follow a sub-surface vein, and remnants of a hushing reservoir and channel can be seen, radiocarbon-dated to 980-1170 AD.