Stone Circles in Wales

If one thing that Wales is known for it is their stone circles. One of the most famous is the Bryn Celli Dhu which is a well preserved megalithic tomb. I tis very well preserved. It is inside an earthen hill and visitors can examine what is left of a stone circle.  A famous feature is of a solitary standing stone that stands before the entrance to the tomb. It is located one mile southwest of Gwynedd, Wales.

The Barclodiad y Gawres is one of the largest and most impressive prehistoric remains.  It is located on the Isle of Anglesey. This ancient place is an ancient tomb. The chambers inside have been reconstructed and are home to several carved stones decorated with large spiral patterns.  These spiral patterns on the rocks are unique to Wales and are not found anywhere else.   The name of this tomb means “the giantess’s apronful.” Inside the layout is cross shaped. It also has a central area with a hearth and side rooms.  It was home to two cremated male burials.

Another impressive Neolithic burial chamber is the Cape Garmon Burial Chamber built about 2000 BC in Wales. The tomb has two false entrance but it has a real one at the south end of its mound that leads to two circular burial chambers. The false entries may have been created not to deceive grave as happened in ancient Egypt. Many bones and pieces of old pottery have also tuned up in the surrounding area.

Another famous stone circle is the Gop Hill Cairn.  It is located in Trelawnyd, Flintshire in Wales. This is sometimes simply called “The Gop” It is a strange manmade mound that was built sometime during their Neolithic period. The mound sits on a very high hill overlooking the small town of Trelawnyd, Flintshire.   It is the second largest manmade lounge in Britain and is smaller only than Silbury Hill. The actual purpose of the mound is not known as there were no burials or chambers of any sort embedded in it.  Speculation is that it may have been the private place of  rebel Queen Boudicca when she was battling the Roman Army many years ago.

One of the most extraordinary of sites in Britain is the copper mine near Great Orme in Wynedd, Wales. This is a huge copper mine dating back to the copper age that explores the archaeology and history of the mines.