Bodowyr Burial Chamber
Bodowyr Dolmen · Bodowyr Cromlech
Early Neolithic (c.3800–3200 BCE)·Neolithic Anglesey (Irish Sea province)·🇬🇧 Anglesey, Wales, United Kingdom
About
About Bodowyr Burial Chamber
Neat Neolithic portal dolmen (chambered tomb) in farmland east of Llangaffo, south-central Anglesey. Wedge-shaped capstone 2.5 m long rests on three slender sidestones (south, east, west) and two portal orthostats, forming small polygonal chamber ~1.5 m high, with additional fallen portal stone nearby. Capstone pitted with natural solution pits. Built c.3800–3200 BCE; comparatively small but well-preserved, demonstrating Anglesey passage/porta diversity. Excavated by antiquarians; retains charm as farmer's field monument beside B4419 road with hedged approach. Managed by Cadw scheduled monument.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why capstone wedge-shaped — quarry selection or orientation marker
- 02Original mound extent lost to ploughing
Theories
- 01Anglesey dolmens mark early Neolithic pioneer farmsteads on fertile southern plain
- 02Bodowyr sited on low ridge visible from Afon Braint valley
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3800–3200 BCE
- Period
- Early Neolithic (c.3800–3200 BCE)
- Culture
- Neolithic Anglesey (Irish Sea province)
- Purpose
- Single-chamber portal dolmen for collective burial
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3800–3200 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1162 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
53.1882° N · 4.3029° W · 40 m · 3 mapped features
Wedge Capstone
capstone2.5 m schist capstone tapering northeast, pitted surface
53.1882° N · 4.3029° WPortal and Side Orthostats
portal stoneFive stones forming small polygonal chamber including fallen western portal
53.1882° N · 4.3029° WField Approach
landscapeHedged field containing dolmen off B4419 east of Llangaffo
53.1881° N · 4.3030° W
Gallery