Gwynedd Archaeological
Trust Regional Historic Environment Record
Bodowyr Burial Chamber, Brynsiencyn
Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 3134 Trust : Gwynedd Community : Llanidan Unitary authority : Ynys Mon NGR : SH4621968160 Site Type (preferred type first) : NEOLITHIC CHAMBERED TOMB Status : Scheduled Monument , Cared for by the State
Description : Bodowyr burial chamber; consisting of a capstone supported by three uprights. The slight rise on which the chamber rests may be the remains of a mound. (RCAHMW, 1937)
A chamber at present consisting of capstone supported by three orthostats, a fourth orthostat lies fallen and partly buried in the ground. There is also a fifth low stone forming one side of the chambers. There are perhaps faint traces of a mound. <2>
There is no evidence of a mound, otherwise the site is as described by Daniel. <3>
Condition unchanged since 1967. <4>
SH463682 Bodowry. A Neolithic passage grave similar to those in the Irish Sea area, of which the passage has disappeared. The entrance is marked by a low stone on the E side which can be reasonably interpreted as a sill stone across the entrance, and occurs in more elaborate later passage graves. <5>
There does seem to be traces of a mound although ploughing comes quite close to the monument and it could be that ploughing has reduced the area around giving the impression of a mound. If the eastern lower stone is a sill stone then the chamber opens to the east and frames, deliberately or not, a dramatic view of the Carneddau, enhanced by the monument's position on a ridge. (Smith, 2003)
The Bodowyr Burial Chamber is a megalithic monument now consolidated for public viewing. It consists of five upright orthostatic stones, one now fallen, which define a polygonal chamber. Three of the stones support a mushroom shaped capstone about 2.5m by 1.9m and up to 0.9m thick. The chamber would have lain within a cairn or mound of which there is now no trace. It can be identified as a Neolithic ritual or funerary monument. (Cooke, 2013)
Bodowyr.This is on Bodowyr Farm, on the right hand of the road that leads from Felin Bodowyr to Llangaflo. This may have stood alone, but it seems to indicate some advance on the simple form of cromlech in having five supports (Anwyl, 1908).
“The upper stone terminates in a ridge like the roof of a building and measures seven feet four inches long three feet deep and four wide. This is sustained by three supporters.” (Skinner, 1802) (Sketches on p. 14-15). “ a beautiful Cistvaen incumbent stone 3 Sticks and 9 Inches, mean breadth 2 Sticks. 3 stones now supporting flat large slabs. There are two or 3 others little removed, which would have fairly shut it in height of supporter 1 Stick and ¾ incumbent stone almost hori- zontal and tapering up to a Roof.” (Fenton, 1810).
Description and illustrations of the burial chamber at Bodowyr (Williams, 1869).
