The Gop (Welsh: Coparleni, also known as Gop Cairn or Gop-y-Goleuni) is a Neolithic monument lying within the Clwydian Range, northwest of Trelawnyd, in Flintshire, Wales.
Description
Oval in form, it is the second-largest Neolithic mound in Britain after Silbury Hill, in Wiltshire. Sitting on top of Gop Hill (823 feet), a natural outcrop of Carboniferous Limestone, the cairn mound is 75-80m in diameter and 12m high.[1] There is evidence that there was a considerable amount of stone on the top of hill, but excavations have not uncovered a burial chamber or other underground works, which may indicate that it was used as a look-out or hill fort. However prehistoric animal remains were found both in the mound itself and in Gop Cave below. The cave also contained human remains.[2][3]
In the 17th century, its prominent position allowed a beacon to be placed there.
References
- ^ "Gop Cairn; y Gop;Gop Hill Cairn". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Whitfield, Paul; Le Nevez, Catherine; Parker, Mike (2012). The Rough Guide to Wales. Rough Guides UK. p. 398. ISBN 978-1-40538-981-5.
- ^ "Gop Cave". Caves of North Wales An information resource. Cambrian Caving Council. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
External links
53°18′37″N 3°22′20″W / 53.3104°N 3.3722°W
