Basin countries United Kingdom Surface elevation 368 m | Surface area 9.8 ha (24 acres) Area 9.8 ha | |
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Location Rhigos, Cynon Valley, South Wales Valleys, Wales Lake type natural lake, reservoir Similar Craig y Llyn, Dare Valley Country P, Llyn y Fan Fach, Cantref Reservoir, Beacons Reservoir | ||
Llyn Fawr is a lake in the Cynon Valley (Welsh: Cwm Cynon), South Wales, that is best known as the site of an important hoard of weapons and tools from the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age. It lies within Craig-y-Llyn an area that is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Map of Llyn Fawr, Aberdare, UK
Llyn Fawr has an area of 9.8 hectares (24 acres) and lies south of Rhigos in the Town of Aberdare in the unitary authority of Rhondda Cynon Taff. It lies near the source of the river Rhondda Fawr, at an altitude of 368 metres, and is overlooked by the crags of Craig y Llyn. Originally a smaller lake, it was converted into a reservoir in the early 20th century.
The Llyn Fawr hoard was discovered between 1909 and 1913 during the construction of the reservoir. It contains many objects from the late Bronze Age, but also a number of iron objects, notably an iron sword of the Hallstatt type. Two other iron implements were found – a spear and a socketed sickle. Bronze items included two cauldrons and axeheads. The items appear to have been placed in the lake as votive offerings. The date of these items is uncertain because of the context of the finds, but the sword is thought to date from about 650 BC. It is the earliest iron object to have been discovered in Wales.
This hoard gave its name to the Llyn Fawr Phase, which is the last phase of the Bronze Age in Britain.