Barclodiad y Gawres explained

cy|'''Barclodiad y Gawres'''|The Giantess's Apronful|italic=no|paren=left

in Welsh pronounced as /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

Full 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.^[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

More 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.

See also

• Petrosomatoglyph Wavy lines, spirals, chevrons and lozenge petroglyphs.
• List of Cadw properties

External links

• Web site: Barloadiau Y Gawres. cadw.gov.wales.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Barclodiad y Gawres Burial Chamber. cadw.gov.wales. 31 October 2023.
2. Frances Lynch. A guide to ancient and historic Wales. Gwynedd. . HMSO. pp 11-12
3. Cadw sign at the site
4. Web site: Barclodiad y Gawres. Wondermondo.