The Dark Side of the Tomb: a landscape study utilizing archaeological excavation, multi-modal geophysical survey and imaging techniques of the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age monuments on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales

Woods, Mike (2024) The Dark Side of the Tomb: a landscape study utilizing archaeological excavation, multi-modal geophysical survey and imaging techniques of the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age monuments on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales. Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

The study of prehistoric monuments on the Isle of Anglesey has a long history dating back to at least the 18th century, despite this the area surrounding these monuments have seen little to no invasive archaeological investigation. This PhD research project utilises geophysical surveys to investigate the landscape surrounding four Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age monuments at Bryn Celli Ddu, Ty Newydd, The Llanfechell Triangle and the Penbodeistedd Stone. The surveys at Bryn Celli Ddu discovered burials associated with the Bronze Age, a stone circle, and a developed Iron Age settlement. The survey at Ty Newydd discovered a Bronze Age cemetery that shares the ridge with the extant megalithic monument. The survey at The Llanfechell Triangle discovered anomalies associated with satellite burials of Bronze Age date and a trackway of ancient date that links the site to a Bronze Age cemetery to the northeast. The results of the survey at the Penbodeistedd stone suggest that this standing monolith was once part of a stone circle. An excavation was carried out at the newly discovered site known as Bedd Y Foel which uncovered evidence proving that this site is a badly destroyed megalithic tomb of Neolithic date. The results of this thesis have uncovered significant findings at each of the study sites including an Iron Age settlement, possible stone circles and a previously undiscovered megalithic tomb. These findings bring new insights into the prehistoric period of Anglesey and showcase the need for further study on the island.