Barclodiad and Gawres. Neolithic site in Wales. Fifties and now

Barclodiad and Gawres. Neolithic site in Anglesey, Wales.

The name means ‘the giantess’ apron’, which comes from an ancient legend in which a giant, with a number of large stones in her apron, drops them in a pile on the ground.

Following excavations here, which were carried out in 1952-53, the chamber was re-faced with concrete and covered with turf in an attempt to resemble what was thought to be the original structure.

During excavations, two cremated young male graves were found in the southwestern side chamber. The central part of the main chamber contained the remains of a fire onto which had been poured a stew prepared with wrasse, eel, frog, toad, grass snake, mouse, shrew and hare, and then covered with sea snails and pebbles.

There are also stones with carvings such as zigzags and spirals. Unfortunately, the site now has a metal gate blocking access due to vandalism. This gives a bit of a strange feeling.