Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, Wales.

Road to Llanon, Wales, view of the Irish Sea

After my visit to Castell Henllys I befriended the park's historian, Roger, and the next day he took me to a couple incredible ancient sites nearby.  Pentre Ifan, which dates to ca 3500 BC, is a burial chamber marked by a monument which appears to be somewhat typical of Wales and Cornwall and likely beyond.  It consists of an elliptical-shaped stone with a flat bottom placed atop pointed uprights in such a precise fashion that makes it appear almost delicate.  It is located on a slope and faces due north, towards the Nevern Valley, pointing directly toward another similar stone monument which was built sometime afterwards.

We walked through the woods to get to Pentre Ifan.  On the way we encountered several moss-covered remains of Iron Age structures like this. 

 

 

 

 

This stone house isn't that old, but was fun to wander around.  We could see the fireplace, chimney, the two rooms, the winding drive, the stone steps to the house, low stone walls, the cleared garden area, etc.  It was easy to imagine a family here, nearly within view of Pentre Ifan, in this little isolated woodland.  

 

 

My first view of Pentre Ifan

 

The Nevern Valley is visible in the distance.  Standing stones fanned out in the back, although only a few are left.  I was told that the stone placed directly beneath the capstone, in the middle, was the last stone placed there, indicating the closure of the funerary rites that took place at this burial chamber over time.  Its date suggests pre-Celtic people built Petre Ifan, but like many ancient monuments, Celts likely incorporated it into their ceremonial life.  Below is antiquated speculation: 

"The region, the little valley on whose side stands the Pentre Ifan cromlech, the finest in Britain, is believed to have been a favourite place with the ancient Drulds. And in the oak groves that still exist there, tradition says there was once a flourishing school for neophytes, and that the cromlech instead of being a place for internments or sacrifices was in those days completely enclosed, forming like other cromlechs a darkened chamber in which novices when initiated were placed for a certain number of days....the interior being called the womb or court of Ceridwen. " WY Evans, The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries, 1911

Roger takes groups up here all throughout the summer but this could never be old news to him, he still enjoys every moment.

Carn Ingli in the background, which is Welsh for Angel Mountain.  Some say the capstone was shaped to reflect Carn Ingli, which is supposedly a sacred site.  One of the women I had met in Hays Castle Cross a couple days earlier had sternly warned me about wandering around Carn Ingli on my own, and to have the utmost respect should I decide to go there.  I didn't go this trip.  But I will next time.  Carn Ingli is due west, and to the northwest is a nice view of the Irish Sea.

My tour guide and me.

Not far away are these two holes, which one can put both hands in easily, almost up to the elbow.  So far I've heard no explanation for this.  On top of the rock are some shallow cupuoles as well.