Dyffryn Ardudwy, Merionethshire, North-West Wales aka Gwynedd, British Isles

Archaeologia Cambrensis 1869 Page 118-147 Cromlechs in North Wales. A little above Corsygedol Mansion is a third cromlech [Cader Arthur aka Cors-y Gedol Burial Mound [Map]] (No.5), of which a representation is here given from a most accurate drawing by Miss Colville of Corsygedol. Here also are the remains of the carn which once covered it. The capstone has been dislodged, so as to leave one end resting on the ground; but even when in position, the cromlech must have been somewhat lower than usual, and certainly of moderate dimensions. Little can be made out of the original chamber, except that it stood east and west. A little further on, to the left hand, and partially embedded in a stone wall, are the remains of a similar monument. It should be noticed, moreover, that the ground, to a considerable extent, adjoining these monuments, contains an immense number of circular and rectangular enclosures, which appear to have contained within their walls the inhabitants of a large settlement. A little beyond this collection of dwellings stands also the strong work of Craig y Dinas, which protected the pass in the mountains against enemies from the east; and served as a place of refuge to the inhabitants below, if attacked from the sea-side. It is clear, therefore, that Corsydedol stands almost in the centre of an ancient and numerous settlement; and as there is some doubt as to the origin of the name, one version being that Gedol is the name of a man, he may have been one of the descendants of that settlement who have left behind them such numerous traces of themselves, not merely in their graves but in their dwellings, enclosures, and even their stronghold in case of exigency.

Archaeologia Cambrensis 1869 Page 118-147 Cromlechs in North Wales. The two chambers [Dyffryn Ardudwy aka Cors-y Gedol Burial Mound [Map]], of which cuts 2 and 3 give faithful representations, are on the right of the main road from Barmouth to Harlech, and not very far from the village school. The lower one (No. 2) has its chamber still perfect, a very unusual circumstance. There may, however, have been a second chamber originally, as the side-walls project nearly two feet beyond the slab that closes the chamber; but as there no traces of such an addition, it is more likely that this projection of the sides is accidental, while the enlargement of the extent of the chamber could not have been considered of importance, otherwise the cross-stone might have been easily put further back. The chamber itself, consisting of six stones, is about 7 ft. long, measured exteriorly, and about 6½ ft. broad. The diagonals of the covering slab are 8 ft. 7 ins. and 7 ft. 3 ins. The supporters rise on an average about 3⅓ ft. above the ground. The entrance seems to be where the side-stones project, and the slab which closes it does not touch the capstone, so that its removal might be effected without danger to the ponderous roof. It faces the east, and is another confirmation of Mr. Lukis’ statement. The whole dimensions of the structure are moderate enough; but the preservation of its chamber gives a peculiar value to this example. Around it are thickly strewn the stones which once composed the carn under which it was covered; and as the same thing occurs in the cromlech near it, and as the two monuments are hardly ten yards apart, there can be little doubt but that both of them were originally covered up by one and the same mound of stones, for there would not have been sufficient space to have permitted two carns, if they were to be built of sufficient height and size to cover each cromlech.

Dyffryn Ardudwy aka Cors-y Gedol Burial Mound [Map] photograph, around 1875.