Notes On Newly Discovered Rock Art On And Around Neolithic Burial Chambers In Wales
NOTES ON NEWLY DISCOVERED ROCK ART ON AND AROUND
NEOLITHIC BURIAL CHAMBERS IN WALES
George Nash1, Carol Brook2, Abby George2, Debbie Hudson2, Ellie McQueen2,
Christopher Parker2, Adam Stanford3, Ann Smith2, John Swann2 and Laurie Waite2
INTRODUCTION
It is clear that there is a link between what is termed rock-
art and the construction and use of Neolithic megalithic
chambered tombs in Wales. Rock-art, which we term as
a conscious decision to mark a surface using a variety
of geometric symbols, as well as carving or painting
abstract and representative figures and arranging them
in a certain way, appears in a variety of locations
(Beckensall 1999; Nash and Chippindale 2002; Mazel,
Nash and Waddington forthcoming). Recent research in
Wales by Darvill and Wainwright (2003) and Sharkey
(2004) suggests that up to 45 sites possess rock-art
either within or outside the monument, or more usually
on the top of capstones or on the side of standing stones
(monoliths). It is not clear if the art and the erection of
the monument are contemporary. However, in the case of
cupmarks appearing on the capstones of Neolithic burial
monuments, it is more than likely that the art is later
than the construction and Neolithic use. This sequence,
recognised long ago by Daniel (1950, 115), appears to
suggest that cupmarks are primarily a Late Neolithic/
Early Bronze Age phenomenon. However, the dating of
these enigmatic designs remains nearly impossible, just
as the recognition of their artificiality remains a problem
in many instances.
The carving of such markings may follow the disuse
of the monument as a place of burial, suggesting that
these monuments constitute an important place for post-
Neolithic communities when cremation is the preferred
method of mortuary practice. It is probable that within
these monuments cremation rites and rock-art are
indelibly linked. The presence of cupmarks and now, the
first cup-and-ring carving, on megaliths in Wales also
suggests that the capstones on many monuments were
exposed rather than covered by earth or cairn.
In November 2005 and spring 2006, a University
of Bristol team visited a number of sites in north and
south Wales. This article presents the results of their
examination of six sites, Barclodiad y Gawres, Bryn Celli
Ddu and Llanfechell in Anglesey, Cae Dyni in Lleyn and
Garn wen and Garn Turne in Pembrokeshire.
Barclodiad y Gawres, Anglesey (SH 3290
7072)
The cruciform passage grave of Barclodiad y Gawres is
located on an exposed peninsula on the western side of
the island and was excavated between 1952 and 1953
1
Gifford Ltd, Chester
2
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology,
University of Bristol.
3
Archaeology Safaris Ltd, Tewkesbury, Glos
11
by Terence Powell and Glyn Daniel. It is one of three
decorated passage graves in England and Wales that date
to the later Neolithic. The megalithic art from this site is
regarded as an outstanding example (Lynch 1967).
The site, comprising a circular mound with passage
and chamber has five stones that have been pecked with
geometric art. The art consists of concentric circles,
chevrons, cupmarks, lozenges, serpentine motifs and
spirals which are carved on strategically placed uprights
in the inner passage and chamber areas. Art on one stone
(7), forming the northern upright of the eastern chamber
was not recorded during the 1952-3 excavation, nor in
1967, but was first recognised in 2001.
In February and March 2006 a team from the
University of Bristol recorded the stone using a variety
of techniques including digital photography and tracing
on acetate. The results from this fieldwork not only
confirmed the discovery of 2001 but also revealed that
two of the stone uprights, located between the south and
western chambers had been damaged through vandalism.
The discovery and the vandalism were duly reported to
Cadw on March 9th 2006.
The pecked lines, although not as clearly defined as
those on other stones, can be identified as a series of
geometric patterns (Fig 1). The fine pecking technique
has made them very difficult to see. This stone, referred
to in Powell and Daniel’s excavation volume as Stone
7 (Stone C2 in Shee-Twohig’s numbering (1981)) forms
the northern wall and is at present hidden away from any
natural light source. Originally, of course, any natural
light within the chamber would have been extremely
limited. Excavation revealed a hearth within the central
chamber area and this would have provided the necessary
light source in order that the decorated stones could be
‘read’.
Fig 1 Barclodiad y Gawres : Tracing of decoration on
Stone 7.
12 Archaeology in Wales 45 2005
Fig 2 Barclodiad y Gawres: photo of stone 7 by Ann
Smith (University of Bristol)
The decoration on the stone comprises a series of
vertical and horizontally pecked lines that form a chevron
(Fig 1). These lines on the inward face converge towards
the centre of the stone and merge into a lightly pecked
disc section c 40mm in diameter. The pecked chevron
extends to the western edge of the stone, onto the side
face. Centrally placed on the side face is the lower section
of a single lozenge measuring c 220mm × 190mm. Apart
from the chevron design there appears to be another
phase of carving on the northern face of the stone. The
horizontal lines that form the chevron appear to have been
either extended or the chevron has been carved over an
earlier design comprising a series of four horizontal lines.
The designs appear to result from two phases of artistic
endeavour possibly executed by an individual artist or
group of artists returning to the site. Several motifs on
this stone have similar design traits to other decorated
stones within the inner passage and chamber area and
also with several stones that once formed a passage grave
near Calderstones Park in Liverpool.
Following a detailed study of the monument it was
concluded that the original excavation team had missed
other stones with rock-art, such as Stones 20 and 21 within
the western chamber each possessing several cupmarks.
A single cupmark was also recorded on the north-eastern
corner of the capstone that covers the southern chamber.
Footnote: The editor has examined the stone which is
extremely faintly marked. Some of the horizontal lines can
be followed through the damaged surface at the top left
and are probably partly due to variation in the crystalline
formation of the rock. However, on a second visit, the
vertical lines could also be recognised and the style of art
is reassuringly consistent with the other stones.
Fig 3 Bryn Celli Ddu: view of Standing Stone and out-
crop near the Passage Grave.
Cupmarks on rock-outcropping at Bryn
Celli Ddu, Anglesey (SH 508 702)
The Bryn Celli Ddu monument, excavated by Hemp
between 1925 and 1929 comprises a passage and a sub-
circular chamber set within a circular ditch. Decorated
stones were recognised at the site during the excavation.
In the southern part of the chamber at Bryn Celli Ddu,
on one of the uprights, is a small spiral. Also found
during excavation and covering a central pit was a highly
decorated stone known as the Pattern Stone.
Located some 140m west of Bryn Celli Ddu is a standing
stone (SH 50632 70103). Both monuments stand within
an undulating landscape that slopes to the north-west.
Approximately 120m to the north of Bryn Celli Ddu and
120m north-east of the standing stone is a substantial
exposed rock outcrop of [Palaeozoic] laminated shales
(SH 50623 70240). Other smaller rock outcrops exist to
the north and east. Following recent fieldwork by a team
from the University of Bristol up to 28 cupmarks were
discovered on top of the rock outcrop (Fig 3). The burial
monument, the standing stones and the rock outcrop are
intervisible.
The cupmarks appear to be clustered into groups
(Figs 4 and 5). One set, comprising four cupmarks has
been arranged in a crescent. Similar arrangements have
Fig 4 Cupmarks on western section of outcrop at Bryn
Celli Ddu.
 Notes On Newly Discovered Rock Art On And Around Neolithic Burial Chambers In Wales
Fig 5 Cupmarks on central section of outcrop at Bryn
Celli Ddu.
been recorded recently on the uprights at Cae Dyni near
Criccieth (CRN 14) (see below) and Cashtal yn Ard
(MAN 1) on the Isle of Man. Cupmarks on rock outcrops
lying close to Neolithic burial monuments are found at
Cist Cerrig (CARN 10) and Cromlech Farm (ANG 15)
(see below). It is probable that the cupmarks, the standing
stones and the use of the Bryn Celli Ddu monument are
contemporary.
Cupmarks on and around Cromlech Farm,
Llanfechell, Anglesey (SH 360 920)
Rock art at this site was discovered during a survey
undertaken during two seasons of fieldwork between 2005
and 2006. Of particular interest was the area between the
Fig 6 Llanfechell: cupmark on eastern stone of collapsed
group.
13
Fig 7 Llanfechell: cupmark on rock between Cromlech
Farm and Meini Hirion.
now collapsed burial monument (ANG 15, Powell et al
1969, 305) and a closed group of three standing stones,
known as Meini Hirion, located at SH 363 916.
Cromlech Farm, the most northerly of all the Anglesey
monuments has one cupmark on a large stone on its
eastern side (Fig 6). A further four cupmarks and part
of a possible carved ring are found on stones within
the southern part of the monument. Daniel regards this
monument as ‘nothing more than a large number of
stones’ (1950, 188). However, a sketch by the Reverend
Skinner in 1802 (reproduced in Daniel 1950 pl. iii) shows
a near-intact rectangular chamber possibly belonging to
the Portal Dolmen series (Lynch 1970, 43). It is possible
that the cupmarked stone is the capstone.
There is a distinct cupmark on a north-facing slope of
an exposed rock outcrop some 350m south at SH 362
918, between the burial monument and the Meini Hirion
stones (Fig 7). It is possible that further cupmarks exist
beneath the turf. Approximately 15m south-west of this
exposed outcrop is a larger exposure and carved onto
this are a further five cupmarks and two possible linear
grooves, similar to those found elsewhere in northern
Britain (Beckensall 1999).
Cae-Dyni chambered monument, near
Criccieth, Gwynedd (SH 511 382)
This site, located within the coastal zone, east of the town
of Criccieth has in the past been considered a cist dated to
14 Archaeology in Wales 45 2005
Fig 8 Cae Dyni: plan of monument (Nash et al).
Fig 9 Cae Dyni: photo of cupmarks on narrow face of
upright.
the Early Bronze Age (Powell et al. 1969, 306-7; Daniel
1950, 193).
The chamber, filled and surrounded by cairn material,
is constructed of seven uprights, oriented south-east
– north-west and measures 1.2m × 0.8m. The majority
of uprights lean inwards towards the chamber (Fig 8)
and two of these are more than a metre high, while the
remaining are less 0.40m. All the stones with exception of
one are of laminated shale/slate, the other is fine-grained
sandstone and measures 1.1m in height. The capstone,
now resting against the uprights that form the south-
western wall leans at a steep angle (Fig 9). Although
difficult to discern, the chamber appears to be located at
the eastern end of a low mound (RCAHMW 1960, fig
175).
On the largest upright, at the south-west end of the
chamber, are up to 13 cupmarks, 9 of which are carved
on the lower south-west-face, while 4, possibly 5, are
carved on the narrow face of the same stone (Fig 9). The
cupmarks, each measuring around 40mm in diameter
are arranged in no recognisable pattern. However, on
the narrow face, a possible crescent alignment of three
cupmarks may be recognised. On the south-west face,
Fig 10 Garn Wen: view of cemetery.
partly obscured by the leaning capstone the cupmark
patterns are arranged into three groups of three, two of
which form a crescent, the other a triangle. Interestingly,
the artist was only concerned with decorating the lower
section of the upright.
Newly discovered cupmarks on rock
outcropping at the Garn Wen Cemetery,
Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, (SM 9483 3903).
The Garn Wen Cemetery (PEM 7-9) comprising three
chambered monuments is one group of six monuments
that occupy Strumble Head, west of the ferry port of
Fishguard. These three so-called earth-fast monuments
are sited amongst extensive rock outcrops, each tomb
merging with the surrounding rocky landscape (Fig
10). It is possible that other monuments exist within the
cemetery group, maybe as many as five (Nash 2006).
Up to nine monuments were reported by members of the
Pembrokeshire Archaeological Survey (Laws and Owen
1897-1906). However, many slabs that were considered
capstones may in fact be natural outcropping.
In November 2005 a team from the University of
Bristol visited this cemetery site to look for rock-art.
Located approximately 5m south of the cemetery group
is extensive rock outcrop. This exposure extends some
120m along a roughly east-west axis and scattered along
the western section are 5 cupmarks, one measuring 8cm
in diameter (Fig 11). The largest concentration appears
to overlook the western monument (PEM 7). The
presence of such phenomenon is yet further evidence
of the association between rock-art and Neolithic burial
 Notes On Newly Discovered Rock Art On And Around Neolithic Burial Chambers In Wales 15

Fig 11 Garn Wen: photo of large cupmark on outcrop

monuments. The cupmarks, vary in size, and possibly Fig 12 Garn Turne: general view of capstone and stones
post-date the Garn Wen monument group. This site can of forecourt.
be included in an increasing number of Welsh Neolithic
burial monuments that possess rock-art.

Cup and Ring Carving on capstone at Garn

Turne, Pembrokeshire (SM 97931 27258)
The Garn Turne monument, also known as Carn Turne,
Garne Tarne and Old Coldstone is the largest of all the
monuments in Wales and is one of three megaliths clustered
around the hamlet of Colston; the others are Parc-y-llyn,
Ambleston (SM 9823 2659) and The Altar, Colston, (SM
9828 2812) and are within the hinterlands of Mynydd
Preseli. All three monuments stand approximately 10.5
km from the nearest coastline and constitute one of only
two areas of south-west Wales that possess monuments
so far inland.
This monument, standing at around 137m OD
comprises a chamber constructed of a series of now
partially collapsed and damaged uprights that support an
enormous capstone (Barker 1992, 28-31), probably made
from a keratophyric lava flow volcanic rock formation
(Eastham pers comm.). The capstone (5m × 4.1m),
weighing more than 60 tons, opens out to a forecourt area,
similar to that of Pentre Ifan (PEM 5) and the Irish Court
Tombs. The forecourt and entrance area, constructed
of at least six uprights, faces a large rock outcrop. On
the northern side of the forecourt are three uprights that
appear to form a continuous arc defining the forecourt
space. On the northern side are three further uprights in
a line (Fig 12).
There are those who suspect that the site may be entirely Fig 13 Garn Turne: cup-and-ring carving on back of
natural, like the rest of the blocks strewn on this hillside capstone.
(Lynch 1972, 71, footnote). Barker (1992, 29) thinks The question remains how much of the stone
that it is artificial but does not think that it is a portal construction of Garn Turne would have been visible and
tomb, believing rather that it may be an earth-fast type. was this megalithic structure originally concealed beneath
However, many of the earth-fast monuments in this region an earthen or cairn mound? The presence of rock-art on
are located and constructed very differently. Furthermore,
top of the capstone suggests that at least the top of the
these monuments are small and unimposing. Others have
suggested that the southern part of the monument, which capstone was exposed.
incorporates the chamber and capstone, may have been The cup-and-ring carving is on the south-western edge
part of a long cairn, however we found no evidence of of the capstone, the ring measuring approximately 0.14m
this. Having closely examined the site we do believe it in diameter whilst the cupmark is 0.05m in diameter (Fig
to be a genuine monument, probably of the portal tomb 13). The motif has been carved by gouging a series of
family. deep furrows into the capstone and although covered
16 Archaeology in Wales 45 2005
with lichen, the rock-art is clearly defined. A further
cupmark was found on the northern side of capstone that
is slightly smaller and less defined. Due to the geology of
the capstone, the depth of the ring varies, being shallow
where the rock is hardest.
Approximately 150m beyond the monument, are
extensive rock outcrops that may have provided
construction material for the tomb itself. Located on
top of this outcropping are six cupmarks of varying size
(SM 97952 27321). To the east of this group are a further
three cupmarks at SM 97985 27252. In addition, within
the vicinity of the monument and the rock outcropping,
there are two standing stones, each measuring up to 1.1m
in height. All three monument types appear to be roughly
contemporary and might form a ritual landscape. This
type of monument grouping is also found at Bryn Celli
Ddu in Anglesey and Garn Wen, near Fishguard.
It is probable that other carvings may exist on this
monument and monuments within south-west Wales and
further assessment is required.
Summary
It is becoming increasingly clear that there is an
association between rock-art and Neolithic mortuary
monuments. However, it is not known if these enigmatic
marks are made before, during or after use of the
monument. Nonetheless, based on the data collated so
far, rock-art, monuments and rock outcropping appear to
be indelibly linked.
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