Barclodiad y Gawres (Welsh for 'The Giantess's Apronful'; Welsh pronunciation: [barkˌlɔdjad ə ˈgau̯rɛs]) is a Neolithic burial chamber between Rhosneigr and Aberffraw on the south-western coast of the island of Anglesey in North Wales.[1] It is an example of a cruciform passage grave, a notable feature being its decorated stones. Similar graves and marks exist across the Irish Sea in the Boyne Valley.[2]
Excavations
editFull excavations were performed in 1952–53, after which the chamber was re-roofed with concrete and covered with turf to resemble the original structure. During the excavations two cremated young male burials were found within the south-western side-chamber. The central area of the main chamber contained the remains of a fire on which had been poured a stew which had been made with wrasse, eel, frog, toad, grass snake, mouse, shrew and hare, then covered with limpet shells and pebbles.[2][3]
During the excavations five stones with carvings—spirals, zig-zags, lozenges and chevrons—were discovered. A sixth stone with carvings was discovered in 2001.[4]
Location
editMore or less equidistant from Aberffraw and Rhosneigr, it is on the north side of Porth Trecastell, on the Anglesey Coastal Path, and a short walk from the A4080. It is cared for by the Welsh heritage organisation Cadw.
Gallery
edit-
View from the entrance, surf in Cymyran Bay -
View eastwards over Porth Trecastell cove from the side of Barclodiad y Gawres -
The chamber; small adult for scale -
Chevron marks on stone in chamber -
Spiral mark on stone in chamber
See also
edit- Petrosomatoglyph Wavy lines, spirals, chevrons and lozenge petroglyphs.
- List of Cadw properties
References
edit- ^ "Barclodiad y Gawres Burial Chamber". cadw.gov.wales. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ a b Frances Lynch. A guide to ancient and historic Wales. Gwynedd. ISBN 0-11-701574-1. HMSO. pp 11-12
- ^ Cadw sign at the site
- ^ "Barclodiad y Gawres". Wondermondo.
External links
edit- "Barloadiau Y Gawres" (PDF). cadw.gov.wales.
- Map sources for Barclodiad y Gawres
