Nestled amongst the lush farmers fields of Anglesey is one of the most impressive prehistoric monuments you’re likely to see, and it’s called Bryn Celli Ddu. Situated on the Isle of Anglesey which is awash with similar ancient monumets like Bodowyr Burial Chamber, Barclodiad y Gawres, Presaddfed Burial Chamber, Llanfechell Triangle and more, many consider Bryn Celli Ddu to be the jewel of the crown when it comes to ancient monuments of this island.
The Mound in the Dark Grove
Bryn Celli Ddu (English: the Mound in the Dark Grove) is a late neolithic burial chamber, and one of the most famous burial tombs in the UK. The Bryn Celli Ddu Burial chamber is located in the Menai area of the Island of Anglesey and one of the most infamous of burial chambers, partly because it is complete and still buried under a mound following its excavation in 1929, which is very rare for chambered cairns. The burial chamber is frequently visited, particularly on Summer Solstice whereby modern day druids will visit the site to celebrate. What’s even more fascinating about this site is that it’s aligned to coincide with Summer Solstice. At sunrise, the passageway is lit up with rays from the sun lighting up the burial chamber, similar to that of stone henge.
Development of Bryn Celli Ddu
The site was constructed in multiple stages. Up until 2006 it was believed that the site dated back to the early bronze age, later to be revealed that the site was actually up to 4000 years old dating back to the Mesolithic period.
Postholes
The row of five postholes which were previously thought to have proceeded the tomb are dated to around 4000 BC following 2006 radiocarbon dating of pine charcoal, however their purpose is still speculated.
Henge
Around 3000 BC, an impressive henge monument took shape. Its boundary was marked by a large circular bank and ditch, though today only the ditch remains, stretching a remarkable 21 metres (69 feet) across. Inside this enclosure stood a striking stone circle, the heart of a site steeped in ritual and mystery.
Seventeen stones were arranged in an oval formation, many placed in matching pairs on either side of the centre. At the base of some stones, archaeologists discovered cremated human remains, hinting at ceremonies or offerings focused around a central ‘altar’.
During this era, a pit was also dug within the henge. There, a single human ear bone was carefully buried and sealed beneath a flat slab – its purpose still unknown. Nearby lay another intriguing feature: the ‘Pattern Stone’. Decorated with serpentine markings that wind across both sides, this stone likely once stood upright within the henge, its carvings catching the light and adding to the site’s enigmatic atmosphere.
Around 3000 BC, an impressive henge monument took shape. Its boundary was marked by a large circular bank and ditch, though today only the ditch remains, stretching a remarkable 21 metres (69 feet) across. Inside this enclosure stood a striking stone circle, the heart of a site steeped in ritual and mystery.
Seventeen stones were arranged in an oval formation, many placed in matching pairs on either side of the centre. At the base of some stones, archaeologists discovered cremated human remains, hinting at ceremonies or offerings focused around a central ‘altar’.
Passage Grave
About a thousand years after the original henge was built, the site underwent a dramatic transformation. Almost all of the standing stones were deliberately destroyed – toppled to the ground and, in six cases, smashed apart with heavy rocks. Only one stone was left standing, a silent witness to the upheaval.
In place of the old stone circle, a grand passage grave was constructed. Far larger than the grassy mound visible today, the original structure would have been surrounded by a complete ring of kerbstones, tracing the line of the ancient henge ditch. This stone wall formed an impressive boundary around the mound, which measured about 26 metres (85 feet) across.
The burial chamber itself was once fully enclosed within the mound, unlike the modern reconstruction where the back wall stands open to the air. Inside, archaeologists uncovered a mix of human remains – both burned and unburned – scattered through the passage and chamber. This suggests that over time, the tomb was reused for multiple burials, with earlier remains carefully moved aside to make room for the new.
Eventually, the tomb was formally sealed. A massive stone was placed across its entrance, wedged between two portal stones, marking the end of its use as a burial site.
Bryn Celli Ddu Excavations
Excavations in 1928 revealed even more clues about the site’s past. Just outside the entrance, archaeologists found traces of ancient hearths – places where fires once burned, perhaps for cooking, warmth, or ritual. Inside a three-sided stone shelter, they discovered the burial of an ox, its significance still a matter of speculation. Scattered across the area were gleaming white quartz pebbles, their presence likely more than mere chance – perhaps they held symbolic meaning for the people who placed them there.
Images of Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber
