Welsh Journals

farm and estate boundary agreements and Ordnance Maps, like the preliminary study I presented on Cardiganshire in 1982 (Ceredigion, 9, pp. 264-80), since at the moment it is from these sources and these alone that prehistorians have the only concrete dating evidence for many stones. How far is the gazetteer useable? Because only six-figure Ordnance Survey grid references are provided and many sites are named without description or directions from the nearest route, some will be virtually impossible to find. It is quite untrue to say that the stone circle and alignment on Cefn Gwernffrwd 'are now covered by a forestry plan- tation' (p. 56), and it would be difficult for anyone reading Mr. John's text to appreciate the degree of scholarly interest which the site has attracted. It is certainly difficult to locate, but a cordon sanitaire of unplanted ground was respected at the time of its discovery and description in 1974 (Archaeologia Cambrensis, 124, pp. 111-13). Here, readers might have benefited from an introduction to the remarkably thorough (though largely inconclusive) astronomical study of the site and its setting published in 1976 by C. L. N. Ruggles and J. G. Morgan (Archaeologia Cambrensis, 125, pp., 162-65), the value of which was much enhanced by the vegetational history taken from pollen sequences preserved in a nearby bog, by F. M. Chambers (New Phyt., 92 [1982], pp. 607-15; Proc. Prehist. Soc., 49 [1983], pp. 303-16). Without providing addresses where the public can make further enquiries, for example by contacting the Dyfed Trust, the RCAM or Cadw, readers frustrated by this gazetteer will probably turn to Dr. Sian Rees's 1992 Cadw Guide to Ancient and Historic Wales: Dyfed (pp. 33-55), which gives clear directions to visitors examining similar monuments in the same area. As maenhirion are among a handful of monuments the Welsh hold dear as national institutions, their popular exposition merits a more scholarly approach. Like crom- lechau (megalithic tombs), hafotau (upland hut-sites) and llanau (church or settlement enclosures), they are still probably better shrouded in folklore than in sound historic fact. Unfortunately, although this book successfully rehearses a good deal of folklore, it is inadequate as an introduction to current concepts of prehistoric society and landscape history. This is one of a number of recent popular books to describe Welsh monuments, some giving an unfortunate amateurish impression of their subject. There seems to be a feeling that in this market, provision of detailed source material can confuse or distract general readers. But that cannot be so: the more accurate the citation, the more likely are readers to be able to follow up an interest should they so wish. Learning gains nothing by hiding away sources. In this regard, popular writers and their publishers owe no lesser duty to their public than do established scholars. Getting it right should always involve stringent source referencing. Refereeing procedures ought to be practised for lowly as well as lofty publications. The advantages are obvious. In spite of these serious criticisms, Gomer has given us a well-produced and profusely illustrated book into which a great deal of effort has gone. Mr. John's sharp photographs and sensitive line drawings will remain a lasting contribution to the landscape record. C. S. BRIGGS Aberystwyth