‘Vandalism at its worst’ – outcry after rubble piled on ancient burial site
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a prehistoric burial site was covered in dumped rubble.
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 BC and 2500 BC, and was likely used during the Bronze Age (2500-900 BC). 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 2004-05, 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.
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 a few 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.
A representative of the Anglesey council confirmed that the land where the site was located was leased by the local authority and that it was looking into the matter.
Mr Nash explained he was also a committee member of the Council for British Archaeology Wales (CBA), an organisation that works to engage with people who have interests in archaeology and prehistoric sites such as the Llanfechell Cromlech.
He said that he visited the site last month ahead of an upcoming group tour of various prehistoric sites on Anglesey.
“I have the pleasure of taking groups around Ynys Mon from time to time. I tend to knock on a farmer’s door just to let them know about these tours beforehand,” he said.
“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.”
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.
Mr Nash called for the monument to 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 Mon that is a part of the rituals monument landscape. It has remarkable archaeology around it and must be protected.”
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 longterm 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 council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that this is one of the county council’s smallholdings, which is leased to a tenant. Our officers will now be looking into the matter.”