ARCHAEOLOGISTS will return today (June 8) to uncover a prehistoric ritual landscape that includes a Bronze Age cairn, believed to be potentially larger than its famous neighbour Bryn Celli Ddu - a 5,000-year-old passage tomb aligned with the summer solstice sunrise on Anglesey.
The famous Welsh passage tomb might not be as recognisable as Stonehenge, but it possesses a similar alignment where the stones line up with the sun on the longest day of summer.
By building the long passage at Bryn Celli Ddu, the sun can creep along it into the far reaches of the inner chamber.
Excavation now suggests that the site had significance for prehistoric people that lasted for millennia after the earth mound was raised over a stone passage chamber.
The monument has an evocative Welsh name, which translates as ‘The Mound in the Dark Grove’ and was first excavated in 1865 and then completely reconstructed in the 1920s, but excavations over the last five summers – with members of the public joining archaeologists – have uncovered a rich landscape of archaeological remains, covering more than 5,000 years of human activity.
The work has uncovered 12 examples of rock art carvings, all in the landscape around Bryn Celli Ddu, along with a pit filled with pottery and worked stone tools.
Excavations this year continue to uncover evidence of a long-lost prehistoric burial cairn just meters away from Bryn Celli Ddu, as archaeologists peel back the layers to reveal the monument.
Pattern stone re-enactment
Radiocarbon dating has given a date of 1,900 BC, with finds of flint tools and a double kerb of large stones, some of them weighing over a tonne each.
Pupils from local primary school Llanddaniel Fab and several others from across Anglesey have been given special access to the site learning about life in their area 5,000 years ago.
Artists are also taking part and responding to Bryn Celli Ddu in new ways. John Abell, a Welsh prizewinning printmaker and artist, is working to create new woodcut prints. Abell’s distinctive motifs, intertwining fact with folk memory has a persuasive sense of storytelling, bringing the past and present alive using a beguiling visual language.
Cadw - the Welsh Government's historic environment service - is offering those with an interest in history the opportunity to learn more about the archaeology of the island.
A series of events to coincide with the project have been arranged.
Bryn Celli Ddu - aerial shot
The dig will run from June 8 to July 7.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, said: “During Wales’s Year of Discovery, we continue to develop new ways of engaging the people of Wales and beyond with our country’s rich heritage. Hosting this excavation and events at Bryn Celli Ddu is an excellent way to encourage a deeper understanding of one of Wales’s most impressive prehistoric sites.
"I hope that local people and visitors alike will be inspired to explore Bryn Celli Ddu this summer, find out about the new archaeological results, and make the most of the free activities and events taking place this June.”
The Bryn Celli Ddu landscape project is led by Cadw, University of Central Lancashire and Manchester Met University, along with members of the local community and archaeology students.
The following events are taking place:
At Bryn Celli Ddu
June 21, 11pm at Bryn Celli Ddu
Bryn Celli Ddu, Llanddaniel Fab, LL61 6EQ
Stargazing at Bryn Celli Ddu
Tickets available from Eventbrite
£10 a ticket. To book: http://tiny.cc/idfh7y
June 22, 11am – 4pm at Bryn Celli Ddu
Bryn Celli Ddu, Llanddaniel Fab, LL61 6EQ
Open Day at Bryn Celli Ddu, with onsite tours of excavation and prehistoric living history
Free entry, all welcome
At Oriel Môn
June 21, 6.30pm at Oriel Môn
Oriel Môn, Llangefni, Anglesey, LL77 7TQ
Public lecture by Professor Mike Parker Pearson: 'Stonehenge and Wales'
Free, tickets available from Oriel Môn on 01248 724444
June 22, 11am – 4pm at Oriel Môn
Oriel Môn, Llangefni, Anglesey, LL77 7TQ
Open Day at Oriel Môn with displays and activities
Free entry, all welcome
On until the June 23 at Oriel Môn
Oriel Môn, Llangefni, Anglesey, LL77 7TQ
Archaeological Discoveries Exhibition
Free entry, all welcome
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