Featured: Ark of Secrets - Neolithic spirit alive in the Middle Ages

Ark of Secrets - Neolithic spirit alive in the Middle Ages

The Henge Monuments of the British Isles: Myth and Archaeology

The Henge Monuments of the British Isles: Myth and Archaeology

Who's Online

There are currently, 328 guests and 5 members online.

You are a guest. To join in, please register for free by clicking here

Sponsors

<< Our Photo Pages >> Trefignath - Chambered Tomb in Wales in Anglesey

Submitted by drewparsons on Thursday, 04 August 2016  Page Views: 30902

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Trefignath Alternative Name: Trefignaeth
Country: Wales County: Anglesey Type: Chambered Tomb
Nearest Town: Holyhead
Map Ref: SH25858056  Landranger Map Number: 114
Latitude: 53.293302N  Longitude: 4.614361W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
2 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

SumDoood whese001 would like to visit

cactus_chris visited on 21st Apr 2022 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 4

elad13 visited on 30th May 2020 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 4 Access: 4

lscollinson visited on 3rd Sep 2019 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 2 Access: 4 The modern surroundings of this site spoil the ambience of the place.

bishop_pam visited on 29th May 2019 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 2 Access: 4

cactus_chris visited on 19th Jun 2018 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

meandering_morleys visited on 30th Jul 2011 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

jeffrep visited on 10th May 2009 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 2 Access: 5

Jimwithnoname visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 Access: 4

Twistytwirly visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

DrewParsons rldixon h_fenton guile AngieLake nicoladidsbury TimPrevett kelpie have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.22 Ambience: 3.44 Access: 4.11

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by ericgrindle : Trefignath - Anglesey Trefignath is a chambered tomb found close to Holyhead. despite its proximaty to the urban environment, lingering as the sun goes down often reveals stunning sunsets. Trefignath is a chambered tomb found close to Holyhead. despite its proximaty to the urban environment, lingering as the sun goes down often reveals stunning sunsets. Image copyright: Eric Grindle (Eric Grindle... (Vote or comment on this photo)
Chambered Tomb in Anglesey. Built in three phases this chambered tomb is in close proximity to the A55, an aluminium works and partially restored with bricks! All traces of the covering mound have disappeared.

Additional information submitted by Drew Parsons in September 2010:
The site was excavated in 1977-1979 and finds included pot sherds and stone tools which suggested a date of 3000 BC for the construction of the earliest (western) of the three chambers. The central chamber and newest eastern chamber were probably added several centuries later and the whole site covered in a mound of stones. The western chamber was a simple box of flat stone slabs covered by a cairn of boulders. The later added central chamber now is collapsed with its massive capstone broken in two. This chamber and the earlier western chamber where then covered in a wedge shaped mound of stones retained by dry-stone walling with a forecourt. The eastern chamber was a later addition and is largely intact with massive portal stones and a large chamber. Quartz seams run through the orthostats like so many other sites across Europe. The site is accessed from its own car park off the new wide road which runs from the roundabout south of Holyhead. This new road is parallel to the old lane from which the site was once accessed. Despite the presence of the large aluminium smelter across the dual carriageway A55, the site is an impressive one to visit.

Original submission by Vicky Morgan
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.


Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by Jimwithnoname : Interesting 3 chamber site with a power station back drop (not included) (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by PaulM : Trefignath Chambered Tomb, Ynys Mon (SH258806) Built in three phases this chambered tomb is in close proximity to the A55, an aluminium works and partially restored with bricks! (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by blingo : An afternoon shot of Trefignath burial chamber (SH 258806) on 21st June taken through an 'infrared' lens. (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Trefignath Burial Chambers
Trefignath Burial Chambers submitted by TimPrevett : 2nd Photo (Vote or comment on this photo)

Trefignath Burial Chambers
Trefignath Burial Chambers submitted by TimPrevett : Trefignath Burial Chambers SH258806 Visited Monday 25th September 2000 A huge location see Paul & Vicky's entry for more information.

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by guile : Trefignath Vernal Equinox 2012

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by guile : Trefignath Spring Equinox

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by Jimwithnoname : View of the first built chamber. (2 comments)

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by rldixon : Trefignath burial chamber taken 12-4-2007

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by rldixon : Trefignath burial chamber taken 12 - 4 - 2007 sorry it taken me so long to put it up :( (1 comment)

Trefignath Burial Chambers
Trefignath Burial Chambers submitted by TimPrevett : 3rd Photo

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by rldixon : Trefignath Burial Chamber taken 12-4-2007

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by guile : Trefignath from J.E. Griffiths snappily titled book "A Portfolio of Photographs of the Cromlechs of Anglesey and Carnarvonshire 1900" Given this was published in 1900, he must have been taking the photographs in the 1890's which must make this the earliest photographic record we have. (2 comments)

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by h_fenton : Trefignath chambered tomb, an oblique aerial view. 29 May 2010 (2 comments)

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by enkidu41 : A composite tomb of 3 chambers built in 3 distinct phases. (1 comment)

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by AngieLake : A lower angle on that beautifully patterned portal stone. (See first pic.) Taken in Oct. 09.

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by guile : Trefignath's third chamber back wall orthostat, lit with a golden light.

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by guile : Trefignath spring equinox 2012, looking from the rear of the third chamber.

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by guile : Trefignath 1908. Second chamber still standing. Does anyone know when it collapsed? I prefer the softness of grass surround to the current stony arrangement. (2 comments)

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by DrewParsons : The site looking towards the north with the chimney of the large aluminium smelter behind the central chamber. September 2010.

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by DrewParsons : A full view of the whole site with the eastern and newest chamber on the left, the oldest chamber on the right at the western end and the intermediate aged chamber in the centre. September 2010

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by DrewParsons : Side view of the eastern (newest) chamber. September 2010.

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by DrewParsons : The two massive portal stones at the entrance to the eastern (newest) chamber each 2 metres tall. September 2010.

Trefignath
Trefignath submitted by rldixon : Trefignath burial chamber and smelting works 12-4-2007 (1 comment)

These are just the first 25 photos of Trefignath. If you log in with a free user account you will be able to see our entire collection.

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.
Click here to see more info for this site

Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map

Key: Red: member's photo, Blue: 3rd party photo, Yellow: other image, Green: no photo - please go there and take one, Grey: site destroyed

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Contributory Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 599m NW 309° Ty Mawr (Nr Holyhead)* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH2539480951)
 656m ESE 121° Trearddur Dolmen* Burial Chamber or Dolmen (SH264802)
 1.6km NE 35° Penrhos (Holyhead)* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH26828183)
 2.0km SSE 152° Trearddur standing stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH267788)
 2.0km W 278° Carreg y Bwgan* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SH2390380891)
 2.3km NNW 329° Caer Gybi Roman Fort* Stone Fort or Dun (SH2471882615)
 2.4km SE 131° Ynys Leurad* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH2764978895)
 2.5km WSW 257° Porth Dafarch ancient huts* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH234801)
 3.2km W 275° Penrhos-Feilw* Standing Stones (SH22708094)
 3.3km WSW 253° Porthyrhwydau* Cave or Rock Shelter (SH227797)
 3.3km WNW 287° Gorsedd Gwlwm* Chambered Cairn (SH2275681655)
 3.7km WSW 250° Fort Dinas, Porth Ruffydd* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (SH22277941)
 3.9km WNW 294° Ffynnon y Wrach* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SH22328226)
 4.0km S 171° Cromlech in Rhoscolyn* Burial Chamber or Dolmen (SH2634376610)
 4.0km SSE 151° Bodior Standing Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SH277770)
 4.1km NW 321° Stones near Holyhead breakwater* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SH2340583806)
 4.1km W 272° South Stack Stone Pile* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SH2177880876)
 4.4km S 177° Bwa Gwyn* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SH259762)
 4.5km WNW 288° Maen Bras* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SH21608210)
 4.7km WNW 299° Caer y Twr* Hillfort (SH218830)
 4.9km WNW 284° Holyhead Mountain* Ancient Village or Settlement (SH21128196)
 4.9km WNW 294° Garn Cairn (Holyhead)* Ring Cairn (SH21408276)
 5.1km S 177° St Gwenfaens Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SH2594975436)
 5.6km SSE 164° Borthwen Beach* Chambered Tomb (SH2714975151)
 5.7km SSE 166° Borth Wen Stone Row / Alignment (SH27007500)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Tal-Wej Cart Ruts

Dolmen at Camp 1 >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

An Archaeology of Natural Places

An Archaeology of Natural Places

Sponsors

Auto-Translation (Google)

Translate from English into:

"Trefignath" | Login/Create an Account | 32 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
Trefignath's place in history. by guile on Tuesday, 05 August 2014
(User Info | Send a Message)
Trefignath has the distinction of being the first prehistoric site on Anglesey to be recorded for posterity in the historical record. This was in 1655 by John Aubrey.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath by guile on Thursday, 05 December 2013
(User Info | Send a Message)
The Parc Cybi truckstop to change Trefignath landscape forever, this along with Land & Lakes ensures that nothing will ever be the same. The Trearddur Dolmen, not being listed will probably end up in a skip, or crushed for hardcore like so many other of Anglesey's neolithic standing stones before it.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath by guile on Wednesday, 05 December 2012
(User Info | Send a Message)
What is wrong with the local council at Holyhead? Trefignath burial chamber, Ty Mawr standing stone, Trearddur Bay burial chamber, the various huts and all the other prehistoric anthropogenic features of this site comprise what must be one of the largest neolithic complexes in Wales and yet "they" want to cover EVERYTHING there with tarmac and concrete, in yet another forlorn hope of attracting potential employers.

The area is a mess already and not one job has been created. Trefignath has already been blighted with a pointless new road complete with various meaningless roundabouts, not to mention the nearby failed aluminium smelter and the A55 express way. These however all pale into insignificance when you realise that the "vision" for the complete destruction of this site still has a long way to go yet.

Right click and open link in new tab here for a truly depressing view of Trefignath's future.
[ Reply to This ]

Trefignath Equinox Alingment by guile on Saturday, 16 June 2012
(User Info | Send a Message)
Trefignath: I wondered if it was aligned to the spring and autumn equinox? I had recently installed an app on my iPhone that allowed you to see which direction the sun was rising on a particular date. Holding the iPhone and trying to sight along it crouching in Trefignath's third chamber I realised how ridiculous it was using an app for this purpose and expecting accuracy. Still it looked good, so I waited.

I was at Trefignath for the autumn equinox; sadly the sun was a blood-red disc in the sky that cast no light or shadows. Yes, you could see the sunrise from the back of the chamber but it proved nothing. I decided to try again on the Spring Equinox.

The day was still and clear, the sun came up over the horizon and illuminated the back orthostat with an incredible golden light. The light that flooded the chamber was the match in intensity and brilliance of that at Bryn Celli Ddu at the Summer Solstice. The light moved slowly across the whole chamber, gradually illuminating the entire third chamber and shining fully on the back stone. First the quartz insertion was picked out, then the whole rear stone. The sun then lit up the stone to the right of the back wall and penetrated through to the second chamber. The sun clearly shone on the orthostat that blocks off the rear of the second chamber from the first chamber in the sequence at Trefignath.

It was almost impossible to get a clear shot of the inside of the chamber without casting a shadow such was the complete alingment of Trefignath to the rising sun for the Equinox.

I had initially thought the play of light would be all about the quartz insertion in the matrix of the back orthostat in chamber three but was delighted to discover the whole complex becomes involved in the light show.


Sent from my iPod
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Trefignath Equinox Alingment by Runemage on Saturday, 16 June 2012
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Thank-you Guile, it's one thing working out if an alignment is possible but something else entirely witnessing it first-hand. Well done for persevering, what a start to your day!
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Trefignath Equinox Alingment by guile on Thursday, 21 June 2012
      (User Info | Send a Message)
      It was a very enjoyable day thank you dear Rune. I was busy, busy, busy taking pictures, leaping here and there, then looked around and saw 30 curious sheep with youngsters lined up shoulder to shoulder at the fence watching me.

      They all had a comment to make about me and my every move it seemed, but one of them had the most contemptuous sounding "baaaa!" which she kept up all through the sunrise.

      It was so amusing as she was the most blasé and sneery sounding heckler you can imagine, and she really made the morning complete, I'm laughing now remembering her! A truly fierce critic haha

      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: Trefignath Equinox Alingment by cerrig on Thursday, 21 June 2012
        (User Info | Send a Message)
        Great stuff Guile, nothing like seeing history in action.
        [ Reply to This ]
        Re: Trefignath Equinox Alingment by Runemage on Thursday, 21 June 2012
        (User Info | Send a Message)
        Tee Hee. There's something about ancient sites that seems to make animals behave in an out of the ordinary way and they do make our visits even more memorable. I'm sure every time you think of capturing this alignment, you'll hear her condescending baaa ;-)

        [ Reply to This ]
          Re: Trefignath Equinox Alingment by AngieLake on Saturday, 23 June 2012
          (User Info | Send a Message)
          What a brilliant description of your visits to witness the sunrises Guile. Thank you very much!

          The piece about the sheep was very amusing, and the comment about the very vocal one reminded me of Avebury last Monday.
          My pal and I were entering the NW segment during the early evening, and had been photographing the Swindon Stone, when we heard the most god-awful noise. It took us a while to realise it was a nearby sheep, which paused from nibbling the grass every few seconds to voice his disapproval of us! I only wish I'd had my camcorder on me.
          ;-)
          [ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath by DrewParsons on Thursday, 28 October 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
The site was excavated in 1977-1979 and finds included pot sherds and stone tools which suggested a date of 3000 BC for the construction of the earliest (western) of the three chambers. The central chamber and newest eastern chamber were probably added several centuries later and the whole site covered in a mound of stones. The western chamber was a simple box of flat stone slabs covered by a cairn of boulders. The later added central chamber now is collapsed with its massive capstone broken in two. This chamber and the earlier western chamber where then covered in a wedge shaped mound of stones retained by dry-stone walling with a forecourt. The eastern chamber was a later addition and is largely intact with massive portal stones and a large chamber. Quartz seams run through the orthostats like so many other sites across Europe. The site is accessed from its own car park off the new wide road which runs from the roundabout south of Holyhead. This new road is parallel to the old lane from which the site was once accessed. Despite the presence of the large aluminium smelter across the dual carriageway A55, the site is an impressive one to visit.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath's 'Construction Site' by h_fenton on Tuesday, 01 June 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
There does now appear to be some parking for this site although nothing is signed as such.

If approaching from the south, just past the roundabout on the right there is a long dropped curb and the wooden posts that line the roadways go back to the wall bordering the old lane. There is also a gap in the old lane wall here allowing access to the Burial chamber site.

29 May 2010
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath's 'Construction Site' by AngieLake on Friday, 30 October 2009
(User Info | Send a Message)
I've added a few photos taken at Trefignath a couple of weeks ago, to update everyone with the current situation at the construction site. It is now a horrible, bleak, road system lined with the usual modern street lighting. The only good thing is that where there was mud and chaos when I last visited, there is now greenery again. Goodness knows what it will be like when the recession is over and they start to build factories etc. (Or is it for housing?) I was there about 6pm, and only about two vehicles passed during that half-hour.

There doesn't appear to be any designated parking area for visiting Trefignath, and it was impossible to drive up the lane from the south (my usual approach) because bollards now block the old lane. I imagine the north end of the lane will be the same.
I parked my car much further south and walked, and this was beneficial in that I saw Trearddur standing stone in its field to the left of the road, whereas I'd not noticed it before while driving.
I also spotted Ty Mawr in the distance, isolated in the road system
I hope the update will be helpful to anyone considering a visit.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath by coldrum on Tuesday, 10 July 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=6&PlaceID=133
[ Reply to This ]

Trefignath - A Day of Guided Tours by TimPrevett on Wednesday, 27 June 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
PARC CYBI - TŶ MAWR, HOLYHEAD
Archaeological Excavations
A Day of Guided Tours
Gwaith Cloddio Archaeolegol
Diwrnod o Deithiau Tywysedig

Tours will start from the site offices on Lôn
Trefignath, off Kingsland Road (follow signs from
the A55). There will be an opportunity to see not
only the on-going excavations of a prehistoric
settlement but also some of the work that goes on
behind the scenes.

Short guided tours will run throughout the
day, but spaces will be limited and tours will
be subject to the weather. Sturdy footwear
is a must and visitors should be prepared for
uneven ground.

For further information contact the project
archaeologist Rob Sutton by email:
robert.sutton@atkinsglobal.com. Alternatively
keep up with the progress on site by visiting
http://www.heneb.co.uk
Saturday 30th June 2007, 10am – 3pm
[ Reply to This ]

Trefignath Development Map by TimPrevett on Friday, 16 February 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
Have found an online map here... it is called the Ty Mawr Project. Having compared Flash Earth with the plan (I can't find any larger images), Trefignath appears to sit by itself to the SE of the development, while Ty Mawr Standing Stone retains a large area of greenery around it, while in turn completely surrounded my the retail park and fast food outlets.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath field report by nicoladidsbury on Thursday, 15 February 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
Sorry - missed this so ignore my plea for info on the photo comments. This is very sad. Its such a lovely place. It will never be the same when a load of shoppers, shops and cars are buzzing around.
[ Reply to This ]

Trefignath field report by TimPrevett on Thursday, 15 February 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
Just reporting back from having seen the area around Ty Mawr standing stone and the multiple chambers of Trefignath. A huge sign is to the left of the A55 on entering Holyhead, inbetween the dual carriageway and Trefignath's enclosure, highlighting land for development. The development seems to be completely about Ty Mawr standing stone; it has an orange fence at a reasonable diameter around it. As for Trefignath, the other side of the lane to west, the fields are completely in a state of literal upheaval. Diggers and dumper trucks are continuously at work. Groups of folk in hi-vis vests stand around gesticulating, whilst others survey. A compound to the north seems to be the base of operations for much of the plant, and make shift offices. It seems the tide of modern human activity is washing higher around this once quiet site. On my first visit, the only modern intrusion was the aluminium plant. Then came the A55 redevelopment, and now I think a retail or leisure park will sit to the immediate north and west of the neolithic stones. I guess this means the amount of detritus left (ie. cigarette packets, beer cans and bottles will increase), and the immediacy of the monument for nearby idle hands may bode ill. In all fairness, the work of development seems to be being done as considerately as possible, but as long as populations grow, the demand on space and resources, and ways to get those resources to their destinations will increasingly impact on natural and archaeological contexts.
[ Reply to This ]

Trefignath - word from CADW by TimPrevett on Thursday, 01 February 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
I contacted the appropriate person at CADW, and had the below very prompt reply, cheers

Tim

The development does not physically encroach on the scheduled (ie protected) area around the individual monuments. However, the proposal does affect the setting of both sites and Cadw has worked with the developer to try to reduce the impact so far as this is possible in a developemt on this scale. While Cadw can control (through the Ancient Monuments legislation) what happens within a scheduled area, consideration of the wider setting is primarilly a matter for the Local Planning Authority. Cadw has indicated those areas which we feel need to be taken into account in the planning process.

I hope this helps, and I am grateful to you for your concern

Mike Yates
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Historic site development fears by paulcall on Wednesday, 31 January 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
I visited this site and many other of the Anglesey double and treble chambers in 2006, and this is by far the best maintained. It will be a tragedy if it is destroyed, and I suspect that the standing stone in the nearby field is even more at risk. I will be following Paul Simpsons' advice and will be writing to the local MP. If everyone who reads Andy Burnhams post does so maybe it can be saved. (Although when did politicians ever listen to the vox populi?)
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Historic site development fears by PAB on Wednesday, 31 January 2007
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    In response to paulcall's question "(Although when did politicians ever listen to the vox populi?)", the answer may be: in the few months running up to the Welsh Assembly Government elections in May!
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Historic site development fears by AngieLake on Wednesday, 31 January 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
Though its outlook has already been spoiled by the ugly aluminium works, this is a wonderful site, and it would be tragic if any new buildings were constructed closely enough to take away its special atmosphere.
There is also a large standing stone just up the lane called 'Ty Mawr'. Does this mean that the proposed site is in its field? If so, what will happen to it?
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Historic site development fears by Anonymous on Wednesday, 31 January 2007
Hi, my name is Paul Simpson, I am not a member of your wonderful site but for some time like to look for local stand standing stones to visit. I live in Holyhead, and when I saw the BBC Wales news that the Walsh office has granted permission to remove Trefignnaeth Burial chamber for some development I was very worried.

Like many in the town I think that this news stinks, and that they should not get away with it, something needs to be done. Ive have sent you this link to read.maybe your members would like to know. and a few letter of protest to local MP ALBERT OWEN or maybe the Welsh Assembly Government could help. because when it gone its gone for good and nobody in the future will know that they were here to,and that people care to know. So if you can help
THX Paul
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Historic site development fears by Andy B on Wednesday, 31 January 2007
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Hello Paul,
    Thanks for your note. It doesn't look like to the Burial chamber is under direct threat, they wouldn't be allowed to do anthting as crass as removing the chamber. But this development still looks very worrying. We'll try and find out some more about it for you and get some letters in about it.
    Thanks for the tip-off,
    Andy
    [ Reply to This ]

Historic site development fears by Andy B on Wednesday, 31 January 2007
(User Info | Send a Message)
Experts and residents near an Anglesey archaeological site, earmarked for a hotel and commercial complex, claim it is in danger of being lost forever.

Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies has ordered the development of Ty Mawr on the outskirts of Holyhead, saying it is crucial to regeneration there.

But there are concerns that historical finds may still lie uncovered there.

The assembly government said the development was a "high priority" to counter job losses in the area.

Ty Mawr has a number of important scheduled monuments including the Trefignaeth Burial chamber.

An archaeological assessment is going on at Ty Mawr before development work gets underway.

Objector Simon Mills claims more " joined up government" is needed

Neil Johnstone, an archaeologist with the regeneration agency Menter Mon, said that significant finds have already been found in the area and there could be more.

He said: "On Anglesey, what they'll find, by and large, reflects the fact that it was a rural society for most of its existence so they're likely to find evidence of where people lived.

"Possibly prehistoric or even medieval remains of houses and possibly something about their religion and ritual. Burials have turned up in this part of Anglesey before now."

The main interest at Ty Mawr is a roundhouse settlement, probably dating from the later prehistoric/Romano British period.

Work on that has not yet started so its significance has not yet been properly evaluated.

Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, the site's supervisors, said "some interesting enigmatic features have come up which look to be prehistoric but will need confirming by scientific dating".

Work on developing the site is under way

When planning consent was granted for the site, one conditions was that an archaeological assessment be conducted.

This concluded that construction must be shown as "absolutely vital" to justify such a major archaeological loss.

But one local resident and objector Simon Mills said, in his view, the site was being "despoiled" and questioned the way the assembly government manages Wales' historic heritage.

He said: "It seems planning has been given and part of the requirement was to do the archaeological survey.

"If the archaeological survey was done beforehand then artefacts that are brought to light could help save the site and allow the development to go ahead on a non-important site."

A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly Government said the development of Ty Mawr was a "high priority to counter job losses arising from the Wylfa closure, and the potential Anglesey Aluminium closure.

He said the site was part of an Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) but it had been allocated for development around 20 years before the assembly became involved.

Enterprise minister Andrew Davies said the Ty Mawr development was crucial to the future economic well-being of Holyhead and that a management plan drawn up by a team of archaeological consultants would protect whatever was found.

Source: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/6307067.stm
[ Reply to This ]

Re: by coldrum on Monday, 07 August 2006
(User Info | Send a Message)
They're meteorite bombardment shelters.

So i've read.
[ Reply to This ]
    cosmic rays by Andy B on Monday, 07 August 2006
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Someone at Megalithomania reckoned they were shelters against cosmic rays. Which is strangely plausable until you go on to think of the difficulty ancient man would have had in detecting increased levels of cosmic rays! Or is that something you're a dab hand at dowsing for Cropredy?
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath Damage by GrahamBurgess on Thursday, 03 August 2006
(User Info | Send a Message)
I am not an archaeologist but have worked much with stone in all its forms.
I am looking at the moment at sourcing for decorative works using specialist aggregates a resin bonding system that is strong and weatherproof but will allow one to see through it and for the natural colouring of the substances to show through.

I am wondering whether there is any scope for archaeologist working to an approved design to stick together those pieces of rock that the public are moving around on our ancient monuments?. No mortar , no visible adhesive.

Graham Burgess Hampshire England.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Trefignath Damage by Andy B on Thursday, 03 August 2006
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    It sounds rather invasive, ie how would you ever get the stones apart once glued. Would you want site preserved exactly in some reconstructed state for ever? Then again leaving the stones just lying around isn't great either. Or fence it off? Difficult.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath Damage by GrahamBurgess on Thursday, 03 August 2006
(User Info | Send a Message)
Having once designed a full sized henge for Lord Bath (Thynnenge) (not built due to lack of Planning Permission) I have thought much about the "burial sites" and pose an alternative function.

If these sites are found with little evidence of human internement then I suggest they might have been sites of storage for hay, either enormous stacks or heaps.

I have spoken to old farmers in Hampshire who remember building small enclosures in the centre of the haystacks around the key point where the rig pole either entered the earth or stood on a consolidating stone.

Certain terminologies in old ships link in with old haystack construction RIG is one and the RIGGBANDS that hold the mast of rigpole up. At the bottom of the riggpal or MASt in boats the hard bit of wood that stopped the mast going through the bottom of the keel was called the tabernacle.
I suspect tabernacles were part of the country scene.

You still have the name on modern boats where they have to lower the mast to get under bridges.

Quite apart from the functionality of that inspection space in the centre of a foodstore it would attract symbolic meaning as being at the centre of the food that would be part of the life force for the winter, feeeding the society as it did.

Perhaps later when Earth became Tellus Mater female and the Pole pal the male it was a symbolic place of union. This union is celebrated nowadays by the placing of rings on the finger.

I am very impressed by the amount of attention your organisation is giving to these places and would be interested to know the results of this model being applied to sites.

Ancient haystacks could have been enormous, 100 feet high and like a ship being shaped to travel through the waves they might have been elongated with the more pointed end facing the prevailing wind. The central pole could have been a mast as mas was one of the names for a field.
Common roots serve all religions so the MASS and the Feast of the Tabernacles could originally have been the same place.


On a separate point I promote The Winston Churchill Travel fellowship for the south and there is a category of award this year concerning a special historic project. see website.
http://www.wcmt.org.uk/2007cat.asp


Graham Burgess.
Hampshire
England


[ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath Damage by TimPrevett on Wednesday, 02 August 2006
(User Info | Send a Message)
This reply from Mike Yates at CADW:

"Thank you for passing this information on. Although we inspect sites on a regular basis I am afraid that this monument is particualrly vulnerable to visitors who wish to move stones, so sometimes the monument is not presented as we would wish. I have passed on your note to our works team in N Wales and am sure that they will restore the situation soon. One of the difficulties is that some of the more subtle features - the kerbs of the earler inner cairns - can be lost or disturbed as a result of this sort of vandalism so we may need to carry out the work with archaeological supervision and this might take a little longer to arrange.

In the meantime many thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Your sincerely

Mike Yates
Inspector of Ancient Monuments
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Trefignath Damage by TimPrevett on Wednesday, 02 August 2006
(User Info | Send a Message)
Have now contacted CADW; no answer from the field monument warden at this time

http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=154

Will update when and if I hear anything.
[ Reply to This ]

Trefignath Damage by Andy B on Wednesday, 02 August 2006
(User Info | Send a Message)
Grant Howard writes: Can anybody work out what has happened at the Trefignath Burial Chamber in Anglesey? All of the stones around the base of the chamber have been piled on top of the cap stone.

It's a complete mystery. It can also be perceived as total desecration. It no longer looks like it did. I am concerned and worried. Will someone please check it out, or if they have an explanation let me know.
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>

We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.