Pillar of Eliseg

Whilst the pillar itself dates to the 9th century, the large artificial mound[1] is thought to be significantly older, probably from the Early Bronze Age.

Considerable portions of the original inscription were read by the antiquarian Edward Lluyd in 1696 and his transcript seems to have been remarkably accurate according to Robert Vermaat of Vortigern Studies.

per uim …e potestate Anglo/[rum]…in gladio suo parta in igne / Quicu]mque recit(a)uerit manescr[i]p/[tum] … m det benedictionem supe/[r animam] Eliseg Ipse est Concenn /……… … manu / ……… e ad regnum suum Pouos / …… …… et quod / …… … …… / …… …… montem /… ………… /……… … monarchiam / … … ail Maximus Brittanniae / … nn Pascen[t] … Mau[n] Annan / … Britu a[u]t[e]m filius Guarthi/[girn] que(m) bened[ixit] Germanus que(m) / … peperit ei Se[v]ira filia Maximi / [re]gis qui occidit regem Romano/rum Conmarch pinxit hoc / chirografu(m) rege suo poscente / Concenn Benedictio d(omi)ni in Con/cenn et s(imilite)r(?)

A small cist in the first phase of construction yielded evidence of burnt human bone, confirming its use as a burial site.

The second phase of construction consisted of a raising in height of the cairn and contained a large cist considered as Early Bronze Age; however, no human remains were found.

A further cist was found in this phase which contained 7 kg of cremated bone, representing numerous adult, juvenile and infant burials.