Maen Madoc

{{short description|Standing stone in Ystradfellte Community, Powys, Wales}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2021}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}

{{Infobox ancient site

|name = Maen Madoc

|native_name =

|alternate_name =

|image = Maen Madoc in the sunshine - geograph.org.uk - 693640.jpg

|alt =

|caption = Maen Madoc, with a modern track on the line of the Roman road Sarn Helen on the left of the image

|map_type = Wales Powys

|map_alt =

|map_size =

|location = Ystradfellte, Powys, Wales

|region =

|coordinates = {{coord|51.82940|N|3.57154|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(SN918157)|display=inline, title}}

|type = Standing stone

|epochs = Early Medieval

}}

The Maen Madoc or Maen Madog stone is a menhir which lies adjacent to the Roman road Sarn Helen that runs across the Brecon Beacons in what was a key area of Roman Wales, about one mile (2 km) north of Ystradfellte. It stands approximately 10 feet high.

It is thought to have marked a late Roman - post-Roman Christian burial – the stone is inscribed on one side, the Latin inscription reading DERVAC(IVS) FILIVS IVSTI (H)IC IACIT – "Of Dervacus, Son of Justus. He lies here".

Though the stone is named after a Madoc, nothing is known of the Madoc referred to. The base of stone is surrounded by deeply embedded stones. The stone was first recorded in 1805 as recumbent, re-erected in the 19th century, and was excavated and re-erected in 1940. Excavations undertaken at the time showed that the stone had previously been sited at the edge of the Roman road, with no grave associated.{{cite journal|author=Fox, C|year=1940|title=Re-erection of Maen Madoc, Ystradfellte, Brecon|url=https://journals.library.wales/view/4718179/4738936/285#?xywh=-2785%2C-220%2C8505%2C4378|journal=Archaeologia Cambrensis|volume=95|pages=210-216|via=The National Library of Wales|access-date=19 October 2021}}

Maen Madoc can be found at {{gbmappingsmall|SN918157}} on the Brecon Beacons West and Central map.

It has been recorded by the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales (NPRN 84540),{{Coflein|num=84540|desc=Maen Madoc Inscribed Stone And Roman Road|access-date=19 October 2021}} Early Christian Monuments in Wales ECM 8, and Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record Primary Record Number 825.{{Watprn|CPAT|825|title=Maen Madog Stone|access-date=19 October 2021}}

It is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.{{Cadw|uid=806|class=SM|num=BR018|desc=Maen Madoc|access-date=19 October 2021}}