A council in Wales has launched an investigation after a prehistoric burial site was found with piled rubble on top of it. Concerns were raised over the protection of the ancient site of Llanfechell Cromlech on Anglesey, with one expert describing the current state of the site as “vandalism at its worst”.
The cromlech (burial chamber) is a Neolithic chambered tomb site, which was constructed somewhere between 4000 to 2500 BCE, and was likely used during the Bronze Age (2500 to 900 BCE). The site, located between the villages of Llanfechell and Tregele in the north-west part of the island, was excavated and recorded by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (GAT) in 2013.
It is believed that the cromlech may have been a double burial chamber. In 2004 to 2005, late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age rock art was discovered on one of the stones. The site maintains natural stones, which include a handful that were a part of the architecture of the monument. Pottery and flint tools have also been discovered during excavation at the site. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
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During the 19th century, the site had been slowly dismantled, with its stones used for drystone walls and farm buildings. But to this day, the cromlech remains an important site due to the fact it sits within a unique prehistoric burial-ritual landscape and is one of only three or four such sites on Anglesey. Others include the Bryn Celli Ddu site and monuments distributed around the Benllech area.
However, recent sightings of the burial ground have shown that it is now covered by a pile of rocks. George Nash, an associate professor of Coimbra University in Portugal and honorary research fellow within the department of archaeology, classics and Egyptology at University of Liverpool, said he was “in shock” when he found the current state of the site.
Reverand Skinner visited the site in 1802 and published a sketch of the monument. At this time and later during the 19th century, the site was slowly dismantled, with its stones used for drystone walls and farm buildings.
A representative of the Isle of Anglesey County Council confirmed that the land where the site was located was leased by the local authority and that they were looking into the matter. Speaking to Wales Online, George Nash explained he was also a committee member of the Council for British Archaeology Wales (CBA), which is an organisation that works to engage with people who have interests in archaeology and prehistoric sites such as Llanfechell Cromlech Burial Chamber.
George explained that he visited the site in April ahead of an upcoming group tour of various prehistoric sites on Anglesey. He said: “I have the pleasure of taking groups around Ynys Môn from time to time. I tend to knock on a farmer’s door just to let them know about these tours beforehand.
“The cromlech site sits within a remarkable landscape that includes later prehistoric rock art and several standing stones – all of which form a unique landscape. I went to visit the site with a view of taking a group of people from CBA Wales and to my horror, many tonnes of rubble had been piled on top of the monument”. Support award-winning journalism with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android
The Llanfechell Cromlech Burial Chamber pictured somewhere between 2005-2006
(Image: George Nash)
As George explained, the site has never been scheduled, which means that it does not have protected status similar to other Neolithic burial sites, such as the Pentre Ifan site in Pembrokeshire. In response to the recent incident, Mr Nash has called for the site to be protected.
He said the monument must be reinstated and scheduled by Cadw as soon as possible. “I am so angry,” he said. “It is one of three or four sites on Ynys Môn that is a part of the rituals monument landscape. It has remarkable archaeology around it and must be protected.”
The site, located between the villages of Llanfechell and Tregele in the north west part of the island, was excavated and recorded by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust (GAT) in 2013
(Image: George Nash)
He added: “In my view, this is vandalism at its worst. This should not happen on such a beautiful island with such a rich heritage. The long-term sorry state of this monument reflects the sometimes lack of respect for our heritage. Its reinstatement and its designation as a Scheduled Monument will go some way to restore faith in protecting these ancient sites.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Isle of Anglesey County Council said: “We can confirm that this is one of the County Council’s small holdings, which is leased to a tenant. Our officers will now be looking into the matter.”
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