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Bryn Celli Ddu: Ancient Stone Circle and Passage Tomb Was for the Living and the Dead

Bryn Celli Ddu: Ancient Stone Circle and Passage Tomb Was for the Living and the Dead

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Stonehenge is arguably one of the most iconic prehistoric monuments in the UK. Nevertheless, this ancient structure is just one of many henges found across the country. The fame gained byStonehengehas eclipsed many of the other stone circles found in the UK, sites largely unknown to most people. However, these lesser known structures are interesting and impressive in their own right and also deserve attention. Bryn Celli Ddu, on the island of Anglesy in Wales, is one such ancient monument that was not only a stone circle, but also functioned as a ‘passage tomb’. It was a place to pay respects and protect the remains of ancestors.

Bryn Celli Ddu. "The Mound in a Dark Grove". Originally a Neolithic burial chamber, later a passage grave. This tomb could be entered back in 1991 and contained a cast of a spiral carved stone to the rear.

Bryn Celli Ddu. "The Mound in a Dark Grove". Originally a Neolithic burial chamber, later a passage grave. This tomb could be entered back in 1991 and contained a cast of a spiral carved stone to the rear.  Wikimedia Commons

The Mound in the Dark Grove

Bryn Celli Ddu may be translated as ‘The Mound in the Dark Grove’, and some have speculated that during its time of construction, it was located in a large clearing surrounded entirely by a forest. Today, however, there are no signs of a forest apart from a few small trees nearby. Archaeologists have suggested that the original stone circleswere set up during the Neolithic period, around 3000 BC.

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Bryn Celli Ddu Architecture and Purpose

An outer circular bank and an inner ditch encircled the area, which was originally 21 meters (69 feet) in diameter, and defined the parameters of the monument. Today, only the inner ditch is still visible. Within the bank and ditch was a ritual enclosure that included a circle of standing stones. Some of these stones have survived till today.

Decorated standing stone outside the southeast side of the Bryn Celli Ddu burial mound.

Decorated standing stone outside the southeast side of the Bryn Celli Ddu burial mound. WikimediaCommons

According to archaeologists, the function of Bryn Celli Ddu changed towards the end of the Neolithic, around a thousand years after it was built. Bryn Celli Ddu became a passage tomb, a type of burial monument found around the Irish seaboard. Some of the standing stones were deliberately destroyed, and a mound was built over the ritual enclosure. Within the mound was a polygonal stone chamber that was reached via an 8 meter (26 foot) long passageway.

In the passage, archaeologists have found both burnt and unburnt human bones, as well as other small finds including pieces of quartz, flint arrowheads, a stone bead, and limpet and mussel shells. In a ceremonial pit at the back of the chamber, archaeologists have also discovered a carved stone with a serpentine design. Once thought to be made from stone, it is now believed that they are the remains of a petrified tree trunk. The burial mound would have also had a retaining wall built around it that stretched about 25 meters (82 feet) on each side.

Model of Bryn Celli Ddu in the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.

Model of Bryn Celli Ddu in the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. WikimediaCommons

Most people today would agree that the passage tomb was a later alteration to the stone circle of Bryn Celli Ddu. Some, however, have challenged this long-standing interpretation. Steve Burrow, the Curator of Neolithic Archaeology at the National Museum of Wales has argued that the stone circle and the passage tomb co-existed at the same time, and that the former could have been erected as a ritual boundary outside of the latter. Burrow also tested an early 20th century idea that Bryn Celli Ddu was accurately aligned to coincide with the rising sun onthe summer solstice, the longest day of the day. It took two tries before Burrow succeeded in recording the rays of light that penetrated down the passage way into the burial chamber on the dawn of the summer solstice. 

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Passageway to interior, Bryn Celli Ddu, Wales.

Passageway to interior, Bryn Celli Ddu, Wales. WikimediaCommons

In 1865 Bryn Celli Ddu was first explored seriously, though it was only in 1928 that a thorough excavation was conducted at the site. At the end of the excavation in 1929, some of the structures were repositioned. As of today, Bryn Celli Ddu is a ‘Neolithic Scheduled Monument’, meaning that it is considered an important archaeological site in the country, and receives legal protection from damage and destruction. It is also under the care of Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh government.

Recent Discoveries at Bryn Celli Ddu

Recently, a team of archaeologists conducted a geophysical survey around Bryn Celli Ddu and they believethey have discovered a cairn cemetery. They also found out that the 5,000-year-old tomb is actually way bigger than they initially believed and have confirmed that a beam of sunshine passes through its main passage and illuminates the entire chamber on the longest day of the year.

Dr. Ben Edwards, from Manchester Metropolitan, has been investigating the site and toldWales Online, “We hit the fields with different geophysical techniques and we found at least four burial cairns. We originally thought it was lone monument but now we know there are four. It seems a complex developed over many years. We call it a cairn cemetery. It is from the Neolithic through to early Bronze age.”

And Dr. Seren Griffiths, of the University of Central Lancashire,verifiedthe existence of humans at the site, “We know that Bryn Celli Ddu sits in a much more complicated landscape than previously thought. Over the last three years, we have discovered 10 new rock art panels and this year the picture has developed to include further evidence for a new Bronze Age cairn along with a cluster of prehistoric pits. We have evidence for over 5,000 years’ worth of human activity in the landscape, ranging from worked flint derived from the tool-making efforts of our prehistoric ancestors to prehistoric burial cairns and pits with pottery deposited within.”

In all, this Neolithic monument has served many purposes over the centuries, and remains standing as a testament to the understandings and observances of our ancient ancestors.

The Neolithic monument and burial chamber, Bryn Celli Ddu in Wales.

The Neolithic monument and burial chamber, Bryn Celli Ddu in Wales. Kate/Flickr

Featured image: The northeast entrance to the burial mound at Bryn Celli Ddu.Public Domain

References

Cadw, Welsh Government, 2015. Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber. [Online]
Available at:http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/bryn-celli-ddu-burial-chamber/?lang=en

Smith, M., 2013. Bryn Celli Ddu: The Welsh Stonehenge. [Online]
Available at:http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=23492

www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk, 2015. Bryn Celli Ddu. [Online]
Available at:http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/walesbryncelliddu.htm

www.britainexplorer.com, 2015. Bryn Celli Ddu. [Online]
Available at:http://www.britainexplorer.com/articles/item/404-bryn-celli-ddu

www.pegasusarchive.org, 2015. Bryn Celli Ddu. [Online]
Available at:http://www.pegasusarchive.org/ancientbritain/bryn_celli_ddu.htm

www.saintsandstones.net, 2015. Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber and Henge. [Online]
Available at:http://www.saintsandstones.net/stones-bryncelliddu-journey.htm

ByḎḥwty

 

Comments

Pete Wagner's picture

The word ‘tomb’ is obviously a bit deceptive, as it implies an intentional or ceremonial burial.  To the ancient people who built and lived (and apparently died suddenly) down in these caverns, it might be better characterized as ‘ground zero’ with respect to the calamity that wiped out their culture.  

Nobody gets paid to tell the truth.

Looking at the map and design of the site, it looks like a ‘womb’. 
This could very well have been a place where mother nature was worshiped as a ‘giver of life’.
The veginal shape of the inner passage and ‘pregnent’ looking mound above it, I believ this could very well be a place for worshipping the divine in female form. 

 

Bhagwat

Bhagwat Shah

Justbod's picture

These ancient sites have been here for so long, I’m sure that they will have evolved and been used for many different purposes over the years. What is certain is their power to stir our imaginations, and this would have been no different with earlier generations who no longer knew the original purpose.

Another interesting article – particularly the bit about the possible petrified tree trunk – thank you!

 

Sculptures, carvings & artwork inspired by a love of history & nature: www.justbod.co.uk

 

 

 
dhwty's picture

Wu

Wu Mingren (‘Dhwty’) has a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History and Archaeology. Although his primary interest is in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, he is also interested in other geographical regions, as well as other time periods.... Read More

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