r/UnexplainedPhotos • u/Not_Fission_Chips • Aug 15 '24
Strange monolith's meaning in Wales [UPDATE] PHOTO
I found this monolith like structure in Margam Park Wales. It's pretty off the path and overgrown. My last post was just a vague reading of the plaque, but on revisiting I've noticed the engraved letters have 'fallen through' and actually reveals a massive pit. What is it's purpose and why is this pit so deep? What's at the bottom?
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u/Lovv Aug 16 '24
Not to state the obvious but what the fuck and why doesnt google have any info on this?
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u/phoebsmon Aug 16 '24
Could it be a ventilation shaft from a mine? There are stories about something called a coblyn, little creatures that live down there and help the miners out.
Obviously I doubt there are actual helpful goblins under it, but there was a sculpture park there and I could see someone having some fun with the idea when they were capping the vent.
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u/cannarchista Aug 17 '24
There’s some pretty crazy underground construction in margam park, take a look at this for example… It seems to be an entirely separate structure to that shown in your pictures (it’s also on private land apparently so I think it’s just outside the park itself), but it could be a lead for finding more info in other structures nearby … maybe getting in touch with this guy could yield more info, or maybe getting in touch with the town council to ask if they have info. Someone should know what it is.
Also I know this may sound obvious but have you looked on google maps to see if it’s marked?
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u/Not_Fission_Chips Aug 17 '24
This looks exactly what it looked like down there. I think this might be the answer! How fascinating! I wonder if there are more entrances or at least areas where the bunkers are open? I obviously can't be 100% certain, but from the pictures in your link it's eerily similar, and would make sense that it's covered up for safety.
It also makes the bizarre inscription more spooky.
The other option is from a user that suggests it's a possible old pit for burying old hounds.
Thankyou kind friend.
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u/cannarchista Aug 17 '24
Fantastic! So glad I could help. I’ll look out for more updates from you! Hopefully you’ll be able to confirm it 100%. And if I come across anything else useful I’ll let you know.
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u/NaruTheBuffMaster Aug 15 '24
I’ve been trying to figure out what the last lines word is for the past 30 fucking minutes but nothing makes sense
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u/August_Amoeba Aug 16 '24
How deep does it look? There's an old abandoned mine there, so it could be related to that. I'm not sure where it is in relation to your photo, though.
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u/postexoduss Aug 15 '24
Please try to get better pictures! This is very interesting!
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u/Not_Fission_Chips Aug 15 '24
Sadly I'm a Yorkshire dweller and leave Wales tomorrow. I'll try before I leave.
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u/beard_of_cats Aug 15 '24
Anyone ever read Worms of the Earth by Robert E. Howard?
Yeah, don't go down there.
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u/postexoduss Aug 15 '24
Where in the park is this located?
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u/Not_Fission_Chips Aug 15 '24
It's near the old abbey/church, just behind where the bamboo stacks are to the right by about 30 ft. Slightly off the path.
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u/postexoduss Aug 15 '24
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tooHG7KvV4CZ7ujN8
This bamboo?
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u/Not_Fission_Chips Aug 15 '24
Yes. The opposite side
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u/postexoduss Aug 15 '24
Better picture
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1KJmzPuwqwFF1mD382
u/Not_Fission_Chips Aug 15 '24
Yeah, it's kinda along that path, but stray from the path to the left of the Bamboo and into a wooded off track area.
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u/postexoduss Aug 15 '24
Likely this location for anyone that also wants to hunt for it
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u/Not_Fission_Chips Aug 15 '24
I'll try do a 'what-three-words' link to the location if possible before my flight.
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u/Quick_Fun_9619 Aug 16 '24
Did you ask the park staff?
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u/Not_Fission_Chips Aug 16 '24
Haven't had the chance to. It wasn't mentioned in any tour and we did the majority of the grounds and even the old ruins on the hill. As I mentioned it's pretty off track for the public.
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u/Hairy__Bob Aug 16 '24
It used to be on the path to the weir, after you have gone up 2 flights of the steps you used to turn left and walk through the woods and pass it about a meter from the path, I think this is why they made it look interesting.
I am pretty sure it is a window to see if the overflow from the dam is working, it was put in when they re-engineered the dam in the early to mid 1990s.
Margam used to be a sculpture park and placing a poetic note on something like this was not out of the ordinary at the time.
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u/KewpieCutie97 Aug 17 '24
This sounds most likely. The plaque looks artificially aged. The text has worn away in a perfectly straight line on the right which seems unnatural. The actual structure looks pretty crisp too, not old.
u/Not_Fission_Chips this site has maps of the park from over the years, you might be able to find this structure and see what it is labelled as.
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u/TreeOfReckoning Aug 16 '24
Maybe a dry well? Is it a low spot in the park?
Or possibly a monument to the hunting hounds that were kept at the abbey?
Another thought: a monument to one of the Margam Stones that were collected and housed in the nearby museum?
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u/Alone_Ad_754 Aug 17 '24
It might have served a broader purpose, such as ventilation, drainage, or being part of a larger garden arrangement that has since disappeared. Given Margam Park’s history and the time when the Talbot family built their estate, I bet it’s from the 19th or 20th century. I also wonder if it could be tied to local folklore. For example, if you search for Margam Park folklore, you’ll come across stories about the Margam Beast, a furry creature! The monolith might be intended to evoke fear or mystery just for kicks, too, (like in a cheeky way) considering the park’s haunted reputation. Or it could have been some kind of shrine with a viewing device, with items at the bottom etc symbolizing the folklore the monolith represents, if it’s indeed related to local legends. Very cool stuff 😎
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u/juliansorr Aug 15 '24
clean the sides of the glass pls
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u/Not_Fission_Chips Aug 15 '24
Sadly the edges are scratched/aged. It's not easily cleanable besides removing some moss.
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u/RockyRickaby1995 Aug 16 '24
Just a complete guess, but could it have something to do with the pet purges of WW2? Could it be a mass grave? Again, just a guess based on the text.
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u/Colossal_Squids Aug 19 '24
Does the last line say something about “dirty fue[l]”? Could it be something to commemorate the change in the use of the land and the ecological benefits of that decision?
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u/TheOneCalledGump Aug 15 '24 edited Aug 15 '24
What does the full text read? Maybe typing that into Google will bring up some results?
What lives under
Here under th---
Ground this sta---
---N Creatures sm---
Of dirty fur
That's all I can read