Cylchgronau Cymru

APPENDIX. Report on charcoals from the excavations at Mount Pleasant Farm, Pyle, Glam., by H. A. HYDE, M.A., F.L.S., F.M.A. All the plant remains were of wood, carbonized (it may be presumed) by fire. A. Central ritual deposit (Late Bronze Age, c. 700-400 B.C.). The main bulk of charcoal comprised hundreds of loose fragments of uniform appearance, the largest about icm. across. Typical pieces (3) from this batch were determined as ASH. In addition twenty-one small packets, each contain- ing one to a dozen pieces (the largest 2.9cm. across), were examined. 81 determinations in all were made, and all with the same result. The wood concerned was all slow-grown, the number of rings varying from 14 to 29 to the inch (measured radially,) and the average ring width was 1.6mm. B. Charcoal deposit in an oblong hollow NE. of the centre. (' Late Neolithic c. 1800-1400 B.C.). Three batches as follows 1. From the top of dark patch centring on 6ft. 6in. N. and 3ft. 6in. W. below level of cairn stones." All small fragments, only a few exceeding icm. in any dimension 12 determinations, one HAZEL (1.2cm. (radially) x 0.3cm. (tangentially) x 2.ocm. (longtitudinally). the rest all Rosaceae, probably HAWTHORN. 2. Charcoal from N. trench between 6ft. and ioft. from centre ( = filling of oblong hollow bet- ween 8ft. 6in. N., 2ft. 6in. W- and 5ft. N., 3ft. W.)." Six fragments, the largest 1.2 X 1.0 X 1.0cm. All Rosaceae. 3. From upper filling of large hollow in NW. Quadrant between 2ft. 6in. W., 8ft. 6in. N. and 3ft. W., 5ft. N." Hundreds of pieces (contained in brown paper bag), many 2cm. or more across all apparently similar in nature. The first twelve taken at random were determined all were Rosaceae. C. From occupation levels connected with the 'Late Neolithic' house. (c. 1800-1400 B.C.). 1. From NE. corner of hut, low down." Two small fragments, probably HAZEL. 2. From 5ft S., 8in. down." Ten fragments, one OAK (0.8 x 0.7 x 1.8cm., 3 annual rings) one ASH (0.6 x 0.8 x 1.2cm., 9 annual rings), five HAZEL, the largest about i x i X icm the rest (very small), probably also HAZEL. 3. From Neolithic level in various parts of cairn." One fragment only (0.7 x 0.5 x i.ocm.), Rosaceae. 4. "From hollow N. of hut (between 3ft. and 5ft. W. and 2ft. and 3ft. N.)." Eleven fragments, seven ASH (largest 0.8 x 1.0 x 1.5cm., 6 annual rings) four Rosaceae (largest 1.3 x 1.0 x 1.2cm.). 5. From upper filling of post-hole C," and 6. From ? Neolithic hollow ioft. W oft. N only minute indeterminable fragments received. 7. From floor level of Neolithic hut in area 4ft. S. and 4-7ft. W." One fragment (0.2 x .4 X 0.6cm.), ASH. Summary of determinations of Neolithic material (B+C) HAZEL, 8 HAWTHORN, 34 + probably 200; OAK, i ASH, 9. *All measurements of position are from the intersection of the N-S and E-W sections through cairn, marked by a large cross on the plan.-ED.