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Tarren Duesant   Well this is an interesting archaeological site that lurks a stones throw away from Tonyrefail. It is Located at the top end of Tonyrefail on the road approaching the old Lamb and Flag pub. It is nestled there in amongst a small forest. The site is considered to be of Pagan origin, however there are many arguments against this and for it. Its apparent date is considered to be the late Iron Age although many such sites have been dated to the middle ages. Tarren Deusant falls into the category of a ‘petrosomatoglyph’ which are very common to much of the Wales.   A petrosomatoglyph defined as an image that represents parts of a human or animal body incised into rock. They are believed to have been carved by the Celtic people. By Celtic people I mean Picts, Scots, Irish, Cornish, Cumbrians, Bretons and Welsh. These representations date from the Early Middle Ages though many do believe that some of these may well be Mesolithic or Palaeolithic. They are highly regarded by both archaeologists and anthropologists as an important look into religious symbolism. The gesture is that they were sued in some secular ceremonies such as crowning new kings or celebration of an equally important person or persons. Some are regarded as artefacts linked to saints and folklore heroes, such as characters from the Mabinogi.   So what on earth does Petrosomatoglyph actually mean? Well literally the meaning is in the word; it’s derived from Greek. The words are Petros (Stone), Soma (body) and Glyphein (meaning to carve).   So why on earth is this needed to understand Tarren Deusant? Well as I mentioned Tarren Deusant is a site of archaeological interest. The actual stone has at least eight human faces carved into its vertical face. The rock itself is located next to a natural spring, which in Pagan culture may have been considered sacred. One particular figurine appears to have a human head and torso but a fish-like tail. This is of huge interest as this is hugely suggestive of worship of both man and animals. Also its proximity to the spring suggests strongly that there was worship of water. The name Tarren Deusant translates from Welsh as "rock of the two saints". Unfortunately there has been some modern Graffiti on the site, but still the main carvings remain rather well preserved. Richard Blackburn    ©2008 & 2009  the Tonyrefail History & Folklore Society  created by Steve Kiff -  www.tonyrefail.org