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Bryn
Celli Ddu
South Wales
Bryn
Celli Ddu is translated as "the
mound in a dark grove" is a Neolithic henge or ritual enclosure. The stone circle is surrounded by a bank and an internal
ditch. At a later date a passage
grave was built inside of the ditch. An
elaborate forecourt was created at the north east entrance with the dry stone
walling of the outer passage and the kerb of stones that retain the burial
chamber. A higher, polygonal burial
chamber can be reached through the narrow passage. The passage is approx 27ft long and 3ft wide, with a low
shelf running along the right hand side of the passage. During an excavation of both the passage and the chamber,
remains of burnt and unburnt human bones were found.
Flint arrowheads, a stone bead, a scraper and mussel shells were also
found. A small, unusual ox burial
was found outside the entrance and the ditch.
The polygonal burial chamber is covered by two capstones.
A tall, free standing pillar stands in the chamber, though the purpose of
the pillar is unknown. On the left of the entrance to the chamber, there is a spiral
carving in one of the stone, although this carving may not be authentic.
A cairn covers the passage, but the existing cairn is a partial
reconstruction. The reason the
reconstruction was only partial is so that stones from the old circle and other
features of the henge can be seen. On
of the features is a pit where during an excavation remains of a human ear bone
and charcoal were found. The other
feature was a standing stone that was carved on both faces with spirals and
zigzag lines. The carvings also
went across the top of the stone. A replica stone now stands at the site, as the original stone
was taken to the National Museum of Wales, in Cardiff.
A
tall standing stone stands on the ridge to the north of the site.
Directions
From the A4080 the site is signposted. As it is in state care, the site is fairly easy to get to.
Photos
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