Barclodiad y Gawres, Neolithic burial chamber on Anglesey Island, Wales
Barclodiad y Gawres is a cross-shaped passage grave from the Neolithic period on Anglesey Island in Wales. It has a central chamber with three additional branches leading to smaller rooms, all covered by an earth mound roughly 27 meters across.
This structure was built between 3000 and 2500 BC and ranks among the oldest buildings on the British Isles. Archaeologists found remains of two cremated burials and evidence of a ritual site inside.
The carved stones inside show geometric patterns like spirals and zigzag lines, similar to those found at burial sites in Ireland. Visitors can still see these engraved designs today and notice how important such symbols were to the people who built this place.
The inner chamber is open from April through October on weekends and holidays and can be visited through guided tours arranged by the Welsh heritage organization Cadw. Visitors should note that tours are required and the passageways are narrow in places.
In the central chamber, archaeologists found evidence of ritual food preparation, including a mixture of marine and land animals covered with limpet shells and pebbles. This combination suggests the place was linked to ceremonies involving food and animals.
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