Bryn Celli Ddu, which translates from Welsh as the "mound in the dark grove," is a prehistoric monument located on the island of Anglesey. It has a history that spans over 5,000 years and is internationally renowned for its solar alignment, where the rising sun on the Summer Solstice shines directly down its passage to illuminate the inner burial chamber.
Visit Date: May 2023
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| Bryn Celli Ddu |
The monument was constructed in two distinct stages during the late Neolithic period. Around 3,000 BC, it began as a henge, a ritual enclosure consisting of a bank and an inner ditch that measures roughly 21 meters in diameter. This enclosure protected a central area that contained a circle of upright stones. Archaeological evidence from this phase includes a central pit where a small human ear bone was found covered by a flat stone, along with evidence of ritual fires.
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| Bryn Celli Ddu |
During the later stages of the Neolithic period, the henge underwent a significant transformation, evolving into a passage tomb—a type of burial monument that is characteristic of the European Atlantic tradition. The original stone circle was largely dismantled to make way for a meticulously constructed stone-lined passage that extends approximately seven meters in length. This passage leads to a spacious, polygonal central chamber, seamlessly integrated into the earth beneath. Over this intricate structure, the builders heaped a substantial earth mound, which today boasts an impressive diameter of roughly 26 meters, inviting both awe and curiosity from those who encounter it.
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| Bryn Celli Ddu : Pattern Stone |
Externally, archaeologists discovered The Pattern Stone, a stone decorated with spirals and zig-zag carvings, in a pit behind the chamber. Interestingly, the Neolithic builders chose to conceal these carvings from view, suggesting that the act of carving was deemed more significant than the display itself. The original stone is now housed at the National Museum of Wales, with a replica available on-site.
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| Bryn Celli Ddu : Pillar Stone |
Inside the chamber, researchers uncovered several significant items: - The Pillar Stone: A 1.7 meter high smoothed stone pillar stands in the chamber and is often interpreted as a "protectress" or tomb guardian. - Ritual Deposits: Excavations revealed human bones (both burnt and unburnt), flint arrowheads, quartz, and sea shells within the passage.
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| Bryn Celli Ddu : Inner Tunnel |
The most famous aspect of Bryn Celli Ddu’s history is its precise astronomical alignment. Although astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer first proposed the theory of a solstice alignment in 1907, it was not officially proven until investigations by the National Museum of Wales in 2005. On the longest day of the year (June 20–22), the sun reaches its highest elevation and casts a beam of light that perfectly penetrates the tomb’s entrance, illuminating the interior.
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| Bryn Celli Ddu |
Recent archaeological investigations have revealed that Bryn Celli Ddu is not an isolated monument but is situated at the center of a vast and complex prehistoric ritual landscape. Surveys have identified a previously unknown Bronze Age cairn cemetery surrounding the original mound, as well as at least ten new panels of prehistoric rock art.
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| Bryn Celli Ddu |
Today, the monument remains a focal point for modern-day Druids and visitors who gather annually to witness the midsummer sunrise.
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| Bryn Celli Ddu |
Another significant related site is Barclodiad y Gawres, a passage tomb on western Anglesey that shares a similar arrangement and rock art carvings, which will be discussed in a future study.
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Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
53.208174540950424, -4.2360328420463
What Three Words reference: -
///vegetable.vibe.rates
OS Details: -
SH 50757 70181
Elevation 33m
Additional information.
Visiting is easy with a dedicated car park (53.204833098621464, -4.2400776132045) and then a 500m well sign posted walk to the site.
There are no facilities here.
Cross the Britannia Bridge on to the island then turn left on the A55 and then left again on to the A4080 from there a right turn marked with a brown tourist sign for the site.