 | ||
Trefignath is a neolithic burial chamber in Anglesey, north Wales. It is a scheduled ancient monument and is located near Trearddur, south of Holyhead on Holy Island, Anglesey. It is maintained by Cadw.
Contents
Burial chamber
Trefignath burial chamber was built in three stages, over the period 3750 to 3500 BC. Artefacts found at the site, such as pottery shards and flints, have been dated to about 3100 BC by radiocarbon dating. These household objects, together with hearths, were found beneath the burial chamber, suggesting that the site had a pre-existing settlement, and it seems to have been in use until about 2250 BC. The first stage in its construction was the building of a single small chamber, subsequently buried in a cairn about 4 m (13 ft) across. The chamber had a passage entrance to the north. The second stage saw the addition of a larger chamber to the east of this, with an opening on the east into a little forecourt. The cairn surrounding the structure was now wedge-shaped and much larger, being retained by a drystone wall. The third stage was the building of a new chamber on second chamber's forecourt, with the construction of a new forecourt. The tall stones at the east end of this were 2 m (7 ft) high and the cairn was enlarged again to cover the extended structure. Bone fragments have been found in the third chamber. It was only after excavations, that took place around 1980, that the different stages in the development of the site were appreciated and a reconstruction made. Today the original chamber appears as a box-like structure, the middle chamber is partially collapsed and the final chamber is the best preserved.
Access
The site is close to the main dual carriageway A55 road to Holyhead. There is a small car park near the site. The burial chambers are in the care of Cadw; the site is open to the public, free of charge, throughout the year, except for around Christmas and the New Year. Access is via a stone stile over a wall, with a walk across a grassy field, a distance of about 100 m (300 ft).
Trefignath burial chamber is a scheduled ancient monument. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales curates the archaeological, architectural and historic records for the site. These include digital photographs, colour and black and white photographs, drawings, NMR site files, and Cadw guardianship records.
