Sepulchral MONUMENTS

Before 1833 two inscribed stones were discovered in Cae Maen Hir 150 yards north of Tir Gwyn in the parish of Llannor, Caernarfonshire, forming the sides of a grave aligned north to south, containing the bones of a large man, his feet to the south.

The stones were left exposed until 1856. Unearthed in 1876 they were examined by Sir John Rhys and reburied until 1895. They were then dug up and sent to the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, where they remained until 1993.

They were returned to Llŷn in April of that year and placed on permanent loan in Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, Llanbedrog. Each stone is a natural hexagonal prism of local volcanic origin, with Latin inscriptions.

Stone 1

Standing 1m 57cm purports to be a Welsh saint of 6th Century AD inscribed:

"iovenali fili eterni hic iacit"

The name Eternus, the Welsh Edern survives in the neighbouring church of Llanedern.

[westwood. Lap.Wall 78.6]

 

Stone 2

Standing 1m 70cm purports to be a Welsh saint of 6th Century AD inscribed:

"vendesetli"

The name, later Gwynhoedl, survives in the neighbouring church of Llangwnadl.

[Westwood.Lap.Wall.78.5]