Gwynedd Archaeological
Trust Regional Historic Environment Record
Plas Newydd Burial Chamber, Llanddaniel Fab
Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 2171 Trust : Gwynedd Community : Llanddaniel Fab Unitary authority : Ynys Mon NGR : SH5199069722 Site Type (preferred type first) : NEOLITHIC CHAMBERED TOMB Status : National Trust
Description : This part of the island of Anglesey, the strip of country 3.5 miles long by 1.5 miles wide bordering the south end of the straits, once possessed a remarkable concentration of megalithic burial chambers, no less than 17 being on record; among them the well known pair of cromlechs (actually a large single chamber with its ante-chamber opening to the south), which still stands close to the house of Plas Newydd, half a mile from Bryn yr Hen Bobl and in a very similar position. <1>
Plas Newydd consists of two chambers, a large and a smaller, and might be explained as yet another case of chamber and passage approach, but the stone dividing them functions as a supporter at the present time, thus shutting off one chamber from the other - a position which may possibly be due to the fact that the capstone of the larger chamber has moved outwards and its relations to its supports may therefore have been altered. <2>
Consists of a single large chamber and ante-chamber; the former measures about 10' by 3', is roofed by a cover stone 11.5' by 9.5' with a maximum thickness of 3.5' which now rests insecurely on five supporters; other uprights which completed the walling of the chamber are now prostrate or missing. The entrance to the chamber was at the SW end and here is a second chamber covered by a smaller stone - 6.5' by 5.5' which represents the end of a passage. A considerable part of the NE end of this cover stone has broken away and its supporters have partly subsided in an easterly direction. Various stones are partly exposed above the ground level in the immediate neighbourhood of the chamber, but no trace remains of the covering mound. Recently the level of the ground has been raised in extending a cricket ground. (RCAHMW, 1937)
Large polygonal chamber to the N with the E side open at present, and a smaller megalithic structure immediately adjoining and to the S of this big chamber, which has been variously interpreted as a passage; an antechamber, and a side chamber. <4>
Some damage to site from spray paint, dumped rubbish. <6>
Roughly rectangular chamber open to the SE with 6 uprights supporting a massive capstone, 4 x 3, 5 x 1.5m. A smaller chamber adjoins to the SW. It has a smaller capstone 2 x 1, 8 x 0.6m, supported by 3 uprights. A part of the capstone has broken off and lies between the two chambers. Siting: difficult to assess because of the buildings and landscaping. Bryn yr Hen Bobl is close by but not currently visible because of tree cover. (Smith, 2003)
The Plas Newydd cromlechs are perhaps the best known of all, as they have so frequently been illustrated. The capstone of the largest of the two is 12 ft. 7 ins. long by 10 ft. 11 ins. wide by 4 ft. thick, thus rivalling the one at Ty Newydd as regards its cubic contents (Unnamed reviewer, 1902).
The Chambered Mound at Plas Newydd. — This is a most important structure, and is distinguished by two features of exceptional interest-(l) the tumulus surrounding it is still in existence, and (2) the stone occupying the lower half of the entrance contains two semicircular apertures, the remaining halves apparently of apertures which were once completely cir- cular. This interesting monument probably gives us a specimen of what several of the other cromlechs of Anglesey at one time were.
The Plas Newydd Cromlechs.—These are in the woods of Plas Newydd, close to the stables, and about 11 mile from Llanfair Station. Here, again, we have no ordinary simple cromlech, but probably the remnants of a series of chambers in one mound. (Anwyl, 1908).
The Plas Newydd cromlechs are perhaps the best known of all, as they have so frequently been illustrated. The capstone of the largest of the two is 12 ft. 7 ins. long by 10 ft. 11 ins. wide by 4 ft. thick, thus rivalling the one at Ty Newydd as regards its cubic contents (Griffith, 1900).
“I made a drawing of the cromlech which is nearly four yards long and above a yard thick, the supporters at the north end nearly five feet high a smaller stone lying close to the other extremity measuring three feet long and two and a half thick has also its small supporters and is to all appearance intended as a separate cromlech.” (Skinner, 1802) (Sketch on p. 21).
A descriptive account, with interpretation, of the site as seen when visited by Cambrian Archaeological Association in August 1860 (Arch Cam, 1860).
Events : 40526 : Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Monument Survey: West Gwynedd/Anglesey (year : 2003) 42272 : Chambered Cairn Known As Bryn Yr Hen Bobl Near Plas Newydd, Anglesey (year : 1929) 40527 : Pan-wales Prehistoric Funerary and Ritual Sites Survey: Trial Data Synthesis (year : 2005)
