The Gop

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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.

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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.


Gop Hill from the River Clwyd Gop hill clwydian range.jpg
Gop Hill from the River Clwyd

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References

  1. "Gop Cairn; y Gop;Gop Hill Cairn". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  2. Whitfield, Paul; Le Nevez, Catherine; Parker, Mike (2012). The Rough Guide to Wales . Rough Guides UK. p.  398. ISBN   978-1-40538-981-5.
  3. "Gop Cave". Caves of North Wales An information resource. Cambrian Caving Council. Retrieved 9 October 2024.

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