11Notes 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

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’.

1Gifford Ltd, Chester2Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Bristol.3Archaeology Safaris Ltd, Tewkesbury, Glos

Fig 1 Barclodiad y Gawres : Tracing of decoration on Stone 7.

12 Archaeology in Wales 45 2005

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.

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 2 Barclodiad y Gawres: photo of stone 7 by M&K

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.

Fig 4 Cupmarks on western section of outcrop at Bryn Celli Ddu.

Davison (www.megalithics.com)

13Notes On Newly Discovered Rock Art On And Around Neolithic Burial Chambers In Wales

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 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

Fig 5 Cupmarks on central section of outcrop at Bryn Celli Ddu.

Fig 6 Llanfechell: cupmark on eastern stone of collapsed group.

Fig 7 Llanfechell: cupmark on rock between Cromlech Farm and Meini Hirion.

14 Archaeology in Wales 45 2005

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,

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

Fig 8 Cae Dyni: plan of monument (Nash et al).

Fig 9 Cae Dyni: photo of cupmarks on narrow face of upright.

Fig 10 Garn Wen: view of cemetery.

15Notes On Newly Discovered Rock Art On And Around Neolithic Burial Chambers In Wales

monuments. The cupmarks, vary in size, and possibly post-date the Garn Wen monument group. This site can 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 natural, like the rest of the blocks strewn on this hillside (Lynch 1972, 71, footnote). Barker (1992, 29) thinks that it is artificial but does not think that it is a portal tomb, believing rather that it may be an earth-fast type. However, many of the earth-fast monuments in this region are located and constructed very differently. Furthermore, these monuments are small and unimposing. Others have suggested that the southern part of the monument, which incorporates the chamber and capstone, may have been part of a long cairn, however we found no evidence of this. Having closely examined the site we do believe it to be a genuine monument, probably of the portal tomb family.

The question remains how much of the stone construction of Garn Turne would have been visible and was this megalithic structure originally concealed beneath an earthen or cairn mound? The presence of rock-art on top of the capstone suggests that at least the top of the capstone was exposed.

The cup-and-ring carving is on the south-western edge of the capstone, the ring measuring approximately 0.14m in diameter whilst the cupmark is 0.05m in diameter (Fig 13). The motif has been carved by gouging a series of deep furrows into the capstone and although covered

Fig 11 Garn Wen: photo of large cupmark on outcrop

Fig 12 Garn Turne: general view of capstone and stones of forecourt.

Fig 13 Garn Turne: cup-and-ring carving on back of capstone.

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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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