Bryn Celli Ddu

Bryn Celli Ddu, ‘the mound in the dark grove’, is probably the best known and most evocative prehistoric site on Anglesey.

Bryn Celli Ddu is an ancient monument dating back almost 5,000 years to the Neolithic the time of the first farmers. Bryn Celli Ddu began as a henge or bank and ditch enclosing a circle of 14 upright stones. Here ceremonies might be performed with the scattered community gathering to witness these rituals. Shortly afterwards the henge was deliberately overbuilt by a large burial mound; a communal grave in which members of the local population would have been laid to rest. The burial mound in turn, became a focus for ritual activity outside the chamber entrance.

Today Bryn Celli Ddu provides us with fascinating evidence of two long vanished ways of life on this part of Anglesey nearly five millennia ago.

The Bryn Celli Ddu Henge Monument

A round 3000 B.C. during the Neolithic period, a small henge was built at Bryn Celli Ddu. A circular area surrounded by a bank and ditch, that seems to have been used for religious purposes.

Within the henge 14 upright stones were erected and probably an entrance causeway where the burial chamber passage is now.

Excavations here in 1928 discovered a pit at the centre in which a fire had been lit, a human ear-bone had been placed in this and a slab laid over the top. This was perhaps some form of re-dedication before building the tomb.

The decorated stone, a replica of which has been erected here, was found adjacent to the pit, its wavy lines and spirals are similar to motifs found in Brittany Henge monuments are rare in Wales, but more common in England (eg Stonehenge). This fact, together with the decorated stone, Suggests that the local community had long distance contacts.

The Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber

Not long after the henge had been built its stones were deliberately damaged and a large burial mound was erected over it. Representing a rival religion this communal “Passage Grave”, would have served the Neolithic farming Burial community hereabouts. The grave entrance at Bryn Celli Ddu was flanked by large portal stones, and a stone-lined passageway led to the inner chamber of upright stone slabs which supported two giant capstones. Unusually, a single rounded pillar is found inside.

The Bryn Celli Ddu burial mound was edged by kerbstones set within the ditch of the earlier henge. The forecourt area around the entrance seems to have provided a focus for ritual.

Excavated in 1928, an area of quartz pebbles and hearths was found here, and an ox burial outside this within a three-sided shelter. Eventually the outer passage was finally sealed by stones, earth and bones. The present mound was reconstructed after excavation, but is considerably smaller in extent than the original.

Created: 30  November  2018  Edited: 29  November  2023