Archaeologists in Wales have used 3D digital modelling to shed new light on a strange prehistoric mound that aligns with the summer solstice.
The 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tomb known as Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey includes a stone cemetery that was important for prehistoric people for thousands of years.
Using ground-penetrating radar, researchers have found rock art and monuments that date back thousands of years - suggesting this burial complex was much bigger than previously thought.
3D imaging reveals lost death chambers in 5,000-year-old burial mound in Anglesey, that aligns with the summer solstice, and was used for ceremonies for THOUSANDS of years
Researchers studied the Neolithic mound Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey
Excavations last year uncovered evidence of a prehistoric burial cairn
The latest research suggest it was part of a large cemetery of such burials
They found at least 10 examples of rock art carvings, all nearby the mound
They also found pits with pottery deposits and worked flint tools nearby
Experts believe it was a place to hold meetings, dances and ceremonies
By Phoebe Weston For Mailonline
22 June 2017
Archaeologists in Wales have used 3D digital modelling to shed new light on a strange prehistoric mound that aligns with the summer solstice.
The 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tomb known as Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey includes a stone cemetery that was important for prehistoric people for thousands of years.
Using ground-penetrating radar, researchers have found rock art and monuments that date back thousands of years - suggesting this burial complex was much bigger than previously thought.
The 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tomb Bryn Celli Ddu on Anglesey includes a stone cemetery that was important for prehistoric people for thousands of years
Bryn Celli Ddu, or the 'Mound in the Dark Grove', is a Late Neolithic passage tomb dating to around 5,000 years ago, located on the island of Anglesey.
It has a special feature, which means that on the longest day of the year, a beam of light is cast down the passage, lighting up the chamber.
It was a place to hold meetings, dances and ceremonies for several thousand years.
Archaeologists from Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Central Lancashire and Cadw now believe it was substantially larger than previously thought.
'We've been exploring the areas around the main mound at Bryn Celli Ddu to identify whether other burial cairns may have been present, but now lost under the surface', Dr Ben Edwards from Manchester Metropolitan University told MailOnline.
'What's been really exciting, and what completely changes our understanding of the site, is the large number of other cairns we've found.
Bryn Celli Ddu, or the 'Mound in the Dark Grove', has a special feature which means that, on the longest day of the year, a beam of light is cast down the passage, lighting up the chamber
'We've now identified and excavated two additional burial cairns, and the geophysics has shown us the location of at least two more. Bryn Celli Ddu now looks like a true burial cairn cemetery', he said.
Known as one of the most important archaeological sites in Britain, the 5,000-year old monument was once constructed to protect and pay respect to the remains of ancestors.
It was first discovered in 1865, reconstructed in the 1920s and excavations in the last few years have uncovered a prehistoric burial cairn above the ground.
'Over the last three years, we have discovered 10 new rock art panels, and this year the picture has developed to include further evidence for a new Bronze Age cairn along with a cluster of prehistoric pits', said Seren Griffiths, archaeologist from the University of Central Lancashire.
'We have evidence for over 5,000 years' worth of human activity in the landscape, ranging from worked flint derived from the tool-making efforts of our prehistoric ancestors to prehistoric burial cairns and pits with pottery deposited within.'
The burial chamber (pictured) was first discovered in 1865, reconstructed in the 1920s and excavations in the last few years have uncovered a prehistoric cairn above the ground
A large stone was placed in the centre of the pit which was covered in carved decorations and then the stone tunnel (pictured) was made
Researchers used ground penetrating radar (GPR) which bounces radar signals from structures beneath the surface such as stones, or the fills of pits, to reveal hidden structures.
They used magnetometry which measures tiny variations in the earth's magnetic background caused by buried archaeology.
They also used resistivity which involves passing a current through the soil, identifying high resistance structures (like stones in a cairn), and low resistance features (like pits or ditches).
Researchers used ground penetrating radar (GPR) which bounces radar signals from structures beneath the surface such as stones, or the fills of pits, to reveal hidden structures
3D modelling brought the site alive in new ways. Experts used magnetometry which measures tiny variations in the earth's magnetic background caused by buried archaeology
The pit was the centre of the tomb (pictured) and a series of stone circles was built around it which pointed to the angle of the rising sun during the summer solstice
Experts believe Bryn Celli Ddu had five wooden posts which were built in the tomb's forecourt during the Mesolithic period.
Before it was built, a pit was dug in the middle and cremated bones were placed in it.
The pit was the centre of the tomb and a series of stone circles was built around it which pointed to the angle of the rising sun during the summer solstice.
A large stone covered in decorations was placed in the centre of the pit and then the stone tunnel was made.
Experts believe Bryn Celli Ddu (pictured) had five wooden posts which were built in the tomb's forecourt during the Mesolithic period
The Late Neolithic passage tomb, which dates to around 5,000 years ago, is located on the isle of Anglesey
The 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tomb known as Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey includes a stone cemetery that was important for prehistoric people for thousands of years.
Using ground-penetrating radar, researchers have found rock art and monuments that date back thousands of years - suggesting this burial complex was much bigger than previously thought.
3D imaging reveals lost death chambers in 5,000-year-old burial mound in Anglesey, that aligns with the summer solstice, and was used for ceremonies for THOUSANDS of years
Researchers studied the Neolithic mound Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey
Excavations last year uncovered evidence of a prehistoric burial cairn
The latest research suggest it was part of a large cemetery of such burials
They found at least 10 examples of rock art carvings, all nearby the mound
They also found pits with pottery deposits and worked flint tools nearby
Experts believe it was a place to hold meetings, dances and ceremonies
By Phoebe Weston For Mailonline
22 June 2017
Archaeologists in Wales have used 3D digital modelling to shed new light on a strange prehistoric mound that aligns with the summer solstice.
The 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tomb known as Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey includes a stone cemetery that was important for prehistoric people for thousands of years.
Using ground-penetrating radar, researchers have found rock art and monuments that date back thousands of years - suggesting this burial complex was much bigger than previously thought.
The 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tomb Bryn Celli Ddu on Anglesey includes a stone cemetery that was important for prehistoric people for thousands of years
Bryn Celli Ddu, or the 'Mound in the Dark Grove', is a Late Neolithic passage tomb dating to around 5,000 years ago, located on the island of Anglesey.
It has a special feature, which means that on the longest day of the year, a beam of light is cast down the passage, lighting up the chamber.
It was a place to hold meetings, dances and ceremonies for several thousand years.
Archaeologists from Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Central Lancashire and Cadw now believe it was substantially larger than previously thought.
'We've been exploring the areas around the main mound at Bryn Celli Ddu to identify whether other burial cairns may have been present, but now lost under the surface', Dr Ben Edwards from Manchester Metropolitan University told MailOnline.
'What's been really exciting, and what completely changes our understanding of the site, is the large number of other cairns we've found.
Bryn Celli Ddu, or the 'Mound in the Dark Grove', has a special feature which means that, on the longest day of the year, a beam of light is cast down the passage, lighting up the chamber
'We've now identified and excavated two additional burial cairns, and the geophysics has shown us the location of at least two more. Bryn Celli Ddu now looks like a true burial cairn cemetery', he said.
Known as one of the most important archaeological sites in Britain, the 5,000-year old monument was once constructed to protect and pay respect to the remains of ancestors.
It was first discovered in 1865, reconstructed in the 1920s and excavations in the last few years have uncovered a prehistoric burial cairn above the ground.
'Over the last three years, we have discovered 10 new rock art panels, and this year the picture has developed to include further evidence for a new Bronze Age cairn along with a cluster of prehistoric pits', said Seren Griffiths, archaeologist from the University of Central Lancashire.
'We have evidence for over 5,000 years' worth of human activity in the landscape, ranging from worked flint derived from the tool-making efforts of our prehistoric ancestors to prehistoric burial cairns and pits with pottery deposited within.'
The burial chamber (pictured) was first discovered in 1865, reconstructed in the 1920s and excavations in the last few years have uncovered a prehistoric cairn above the ground
A large stone was placed in the centre of the pit which was covered in carved decorations and then the stone tunnel (pictured) was made
Researchers used ground penetrating radar (GPR) which bounces radar signals from structures beneath the surface such as stones, or the fills of pits, to reveal hidden structures.
They used magnetometry which measures tiny variations in the earth's magnetic background caused by buried archaeology.
They also used resistivity which involves passing a current through the soil, identifying high resistance structures (like stones in a cairn), and low resistance features (like pits or ditches).
Researchers used ground penetrating radar (GPR) which bounces radar signals from structures beneath the surface such as stones, or the fills of pits, to reveal hidden structures
3D modelling brought the site alive in new ways. Experts used magnetometry which measures tiny variations in the earth's magnetic background caused by buried archaeology
The pit was the centre of the tomb (pictured) and a series of stone circles was built around it which pointed to the angle of the rising sun during the summer solstice
Experts believe Bryn Celli Ddu had five wooden posts which were built in the tomb's forecourt during the Mesolithic period.
Before it was built, a pit was dug in the middle and cremated bones were placed in it.
The pit was the centre of the tomb and a series of stone circles was built around it which pointed to the angle of the rising sun during the summer solstice.
A large stone covered in decorations was placed in the centre of the pit and then the stone tunnel was made.
Experts believe Bryn Celli Ddu (pictured) had five wooden posts which were built in the tomb's forecourt during the Mesolithic period
The Late Neolithic passage tomb, which dates to around 5,000 years ago, is located on the isle of Anglesey
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