 Bryn Celli Ddu is a passage tomb that was built on top of an older circle-henge. It started as a late Neolithic henge or ritual enclosure with a stone circle surrounded by a bank and internal ditch. A later passage grave was built inside the ditch.
The northeast entrance to the burial chamber is retained by a kerb of stones, which with the dry-stone walling of the outer passage, creates an elaborate forecourt. The narrow passage 27 feet long and three feet wide with a low shelf along its north side. This leads to a higher, polygonal burial chamber, eight feet wide, covered by two capstones. In the chamber is a tall, rounded, free-standing pillar, whose purpose is unknown.
The whole passage was covered by a cairn, but the existing mound is a partial reconstruction, kept small so that three stones from the old stone circle and two other features behind the chamber, at the center of the henge, can be seen. A carved stone with a twisting, serpentine design stood in the burial chamber. The original is now at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, and a replica has been set up in its presumed original position.
Bryn Celli Ddu marks the summer solstice. This alignment links Bryn Celli Ddu to a handful of other sites, including Maes Howe and Newgrange, both of which point to the midwinter solstice.
About Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber and Henge
Megalithic Portal: Bryn Celli Ddu
Stone Pages: Bryn Celli Ddu
Megalithics: Bryn Celli Ddu
The Modern Antiquarian: Bryn Celli Ddu
Wikipedia: Bryn Celli Ddu
Wikipedia: Passage Graves
Journey to Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber and Henge
Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber and Henge is located on a minor road east of the village of Landdaniel Fab on Anglesey in North Wales.
Streetmap UK (NGR SH50757017)
Visitors Information
Visitors information for Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber and Henge may be found at the Megalithic Portal website. General tourist information may be found at the Visit Anglesey website.
Additional Photos of Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber and Henge
Road Sign for Bryn Celli Ddu
Approaching Bryn Celli Ddu
Sign on Path to Bryn Celli Ddu
Rear of Bryn Celli Ddu
Rear of Bryn Celli Ddu
Standing Stone (replica) at Rear of Chamber to Bryn Celli Ddu
Close-Up of Standing Stone (replica) at Rear of Bryn Celli Ddu
Kerbstones Near Entrance to Bryn Celli Ddu
Kerbstones Near Entrance to Bryn Celli Ddu
Entrance to Bryn Celli Ddu
Close-Up of Entrance to Bryn Celli Ddu
Start of Roofed Passage, Interior, Bryn Celli Ddu
Interior, Bryn Celli Ddu
Standing Stone Inside Chamber, Bryn Celli Ddu
Standing Stone Inside Chamber, Bryn Celli Ddu
Standing Stone Inside Chamber, Bryn Celli Ddu
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