Tŷ Newydd Burial Chamber is a Neolithic dolmen located northeast of the village of Llanfaelog on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. It is situated near Tŷ Newydd farm and is under the care of Cadw, the Welsh government's historic environment service.
Description
The burial chamber is a ruined megalithic dolmen set upon a natural outcrop. It would originally have been covered with a mound or cairn, the extent of which is now marked by small bollards surrounding the site. The chamber's layout suggests it was built during the Neolithic period (New Stone Age). The capstone is wedge-shaped, measuring approximately 4.0 metres (13 ft) by 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) and up to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) thick. The capstone is cracked and currently rests on three of the four remaining upright stones, with additional support provided by modern brick pillars.
Excavations
The chamber was excavated in August 1935 by Charles Phillips. The interior was found to measure about 2.8 metres by 1.2 metres, with its area defined by a spread of charcoal and a hearth at the eastern end, where there may have been a second chamber or passage. Artefacts recovered included five flint flakes, a burnt flint arrowhead, a small chip from a polished flint axe, and nine small fragments of pottery. Phillips interpreted the pottery fragments as belonging to the Beaker culture, suggesting possible Bronze Age reuse of an earlier Neolithic monument.
Location and Access
The site is located near the village of Llanfaelog on the Isle of Anglesey, with OS grid reference SH344738. It is a scheduled ancient monument and is open to the public.
