Garn Goch

Whilst it is strongly believed that Old Stone Age groups hunted throughout the extensive forests that once covered all but the highest land between 10000 and 5000 BC, the first positive evidence of active settlement dates from the Neolithic (New Stone Age), was when the first farmers started to shape the landscape and left behind them a number of intricately constructed stone tombs.

A number of these can still be seen and all are clearly marked on the large-scale Ordnance Survey maps, which you should carry with you at all times in order to enjoy the sights and fine walking trails throughout this area. The remains of a long burial cairn can be found at SO 211192, adjacent to the main A40 road just West of Crickhowell.

Gaer Fawr Iron Age Fort
The spread of new Iron Age technology and evolving social ideas reached Wales from Europe from about 600 BC onwards and resulted in the construction of many impressive hill forts designed to provide protection to permanent settlements. More than 20 of these can be found in this area and one of the largest of all the Welsh Iron Age forts is Gaer Fawr on Garn Goch common at SN 692243, South-West of Llandovery. This is well-signposted from the little village of Bethlehem and is extremely impressive at some 30 acres in size. The Welsh language is thought to have been introduced by the Iron Age peoples, who brought their Celtic language into Britain. Whilst these impressive hill forts remain, surprisingly little is known about the people themselves. This has given the notion of Celtic heritage an aura of mystery that is used today as an artistic concept and as a symbol of Welsh independence.