Barclodiad y Gawres Chambered Tomb

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An atmospheric tomb with rare examples of prehistoric art

Barclodiad y Gawres (‘The Giantess’s Apronful’ in English) gives a revealing – and surprising – glimpse into the lives of our ancient ancestors. Perched in a spectacular cliffside location, the 90ft/27m earthen mound is a modern reconstruction, but beneath lies a 23ft/7m passageway leading to a cross-shaped chamber that houses the tomb’s most exciting treasures.

Among a series of stones are five etched with intricate patterns of zig-zags and spirals, which hint at the site’s significance for Anglesey’s early inhabitants. While similar carvings have been found at Neolithic (New Stone Age) sites in Ireland, the only other tomb in the UK with examples of such megalithic art is a few miles away at Bryn Celli Ddu.