Barclodiad y Gawres

Barclodiad y Gawres is a Neolithic burial chamber between Rhosneigr and Aberffraw on the south-western coast of the island of Anglesey in North Wales [1]. It is an example of a cruciform passage grave, a notable feature being its decorated stones [1]. Similar graves and marks exist across the Irish Sea in the Boyne Valley [1]. Full excavations were performed in 1952–53, after which the chamber was re-roofed with concrete and covered with turf to resemble the original structure [1]. During the excavations two cremated young male burials were found within the south-western side-chamber [1]. The central area of the main chamber contained the remains of a fire on which had been poured a stew which had been made with wrasse, eel, frog, toad, grass snake, mouse, shrew and hare, then covered with limpet shells and pebbles [1]. During the excavations five stones with carvings—spirals, zig-zags, lozenges and chevrons—were discovered [1]. A sixth stone with carvings was discovered in 2001 [1].