Coetan Arthur at St Davids Head
Arthur's Quoit — St Davids · St Davids Head Cromlech · Cors Fochno? no · Coetan Arthur — St Davids
Early Neolithic (c.3800–3600 BCE)·Western Neolithic (Pembrokeshire)·🇬🇧 Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
About
About Coetan Arthur at St Davids Head
Classic Neolithic portal dolmen (cotr? cromlech) on the rocky headland of St Davids Head, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, overlooking Whitesands Bay. Capstone ~5 x 3 m (c.6 tonnes) rests on 1.5 m portal orthostats and 3 sidestones forming a rectangular chamber open to the southeast, with low mound remnant and forecourt depression. Part of St Davids Head Neolithic landscape with hut circles, field walls and standing stones on the coastal plateau, likely a coastal waymarker. Built c.3800–3600 BCE. Excavated? partly disturbed by antiquarians; capstone propped by modern wedge. Managed by Pembrokeshire Coast NP / Cadw.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why sited on exposed headland versus sheltered valley — beacon or territorial claim
- 02Whether surrounding hut settlements are contemporary or later
Theories
- 01Coastal portal dolmens like Coetan Arthur functioned as seamarks along Irish Sea Neolithic coastal route
- 02Chamber purposely aligned to southeast sea view and sunrise
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3800–3600 BCE
- Period
- Early Neolithic (c.3800–3600 BCE)
- Culture
- Western Neolithic (Pembrokeshire)
- Purpose
- Portal dolmen — collective burial with portal entrance, possibly coastal navigation marker
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3800–3600 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1199 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
51.9046° N · 5.2930° W · 65 m · 3 mapped features
Capstone
capstoneMassive dolerite capstone 5.1 m long balanced on portal stones
51.9046° N · 5.2930° WPortal Orthostats
portal stoneTwo 1.5 m tall portal stones forming entrance to chamber
51.9046° N · 5.2931° WLow Mound and Foreshadowing? Forecourt
moundDenuded mound remnant and slight forecourt depression southeast of chamber
51.9045° N · 5.2929° W
Gallery