This post was last updated on August 23rd, 2024 at 03:10 pm
Din Lligwy is the name of the ruins of an ancient village that dates to the late Roman Era in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. However, structures dated outside the enclosure show that the settlement may have existed since the Iron Age. The site is a fascinating window into Wales’ past and well worth a visit when you’re in Wales!
One of many fascinating historic sites on Ynys Môn, the Din Lligwy stone-built hut enclosure is a Roman Era settlement dating between approximately 200 and 300 AD. During this period, the tribal Celts who lived on the isle preferred roundhouses but had been gradually adopting some Roman customs.
Inside this fascinating site on Ynys Môn (Isle of Anglesey) stand the remnants of two round huts and a few rectangular buildings. These dwellings, originally having thick stone walls with thatched conical roofs, were most likely part of a farming community. A stone wall still surrounds the village.
The village spans about half an acre. Standing within the crumbling, five-foot-thick wall encircling the village are the bases of two round huts and several longer, rectangular structures. The villagers most likely used the latter as workshops or barns. All of the stone structures are made from white limestone.
This post is about the Din Lligwy ancient settlement in North Wales.
Din Lligwy
In the present, Din Lligwy lies within a grove of sycamore and ash trees. Visitors have claimed the place has a druidic and archaic feel, with the spirit of the Welsh ancestors still tinging the atmosphere. The small wood is recent, however. Back in the days of the Welsh tribes, the land was open, giving the villagers a spectacular, unobstructed view of Lligwy Bay. While time has worn away most of the houses, the centuries have left behind the buildings’ foundations and many artifacts.
In the early 1900s, archaeologists excavated the site. This dig unearthed Roman coins, glass, pottery, and a small ingot (block of metal) made of silver. Also recovered were many tools made of animal bones and a musical instrument. While the artifacts all date to the 3rd or 4th century, as mentioned earlier, the huts were likely in use as far back as 800 BC.
The ancient Welsh living at Din Lligwy also left evidence of their metalworking, such as smelting hearths and iron slag (waste material). The Celts of this period were skilled in working with many types of metals. While no large pieces have been found at Din Lligwy, you can see some excellent examples of their craft at Museum Wales.
For us in the twenty-first century to access this historic site, there’s only one way to get there: a narrow footpath through the trees. On the way, you’ll pass the ruins of Hen Capel Lligwy (Old Lligwy Chapel), which dates to the twelfth century.
Lligwy Burial Chamber
The Lligwy Burial Chamber is one of Wales’s most impressive Neolithic burial chambers. At the end of the Neolithic era, between 250 and 2000 BC, the ancient Welsh who lived in this area built the tomb in Lligwy. They used it as a communal grave for their farming community. Sometimes people call it “Din Lligwy Burial Chamber” because it is close to the village. In 1909, the chamber was unearthed during an archaeological dig. Unburned human and animal bones, pottery shards, countless snail and clam shells, and several flints were discovered within. In total, between fifteen and thirty adult and child remains were also discovered within the tomb’s walls. At least one of the excavation layers may point to the tomb having a later usage. Some of the pottery appears to date from the Bronze Age.
The Structure of the Burial Chamber
Eight stones of various shapes make up the burial chamber. The entire structure is supported by a massive boulder placed on the top (capstone) that is 5.6 meters long by 4.8 meters broad, 1.1 meters thick, and weighs around 25 tons. The builders used a naturally occurring gap in the boulder, which allowed the chamber to be around 1.8 meters high. They originally made the entry from the east, covered the structure with an earthen mound, and may have placed stones on top of that. During the investigation, archeologists discovered that the tomb included the remains of roughly 30 humans and various animal bones, mussel shells, and pottery shards.
Visit Din Lligwy
Except on holidays, guests can freely access the burial chamber. It is currently maintained by Cadw, a group dedicated to preserving and protecting Wales’ historical sites. If you’d like to visit, the village is about 1.2 kilometers north of Llanallgo. It is easily accessible on foot from the parking area at the road’s edge. One of the biggest and heaviest capstones in all of Britain is thought to be the Lligwy stone.
The Old Stones of Wales: A Field Guide to Megalithic and Other Prehistoric Sites by Andy Burnham
Is the Lligwy Burial Chamber Related to Bryn Celli Ddu?
Bryn Celli Ddu is another famous burial chamber in North Wales. There’s a good chance that it and Lligwy Burial Chamber may be related since they are both prehistoric burial sites located on Ynys Môn. They were also built by the same group of people who lived in ancient Wales: the Beaker Folk. This culture is named after the distinctive bell-shaped pottery vessels they produced and used for various purposes, including as grave goods in burials like those at Lligwy and Bryn Celli Ddu. The builders of these megalithic tombs most likely lived in cooperation as part of a larger farming community.
Lligwy Burial Chamber is located near the village of Moelfre on the island’s east coast. It consists of a large stone chamber that was once (but is no longer) covered by a mound of earth and stones.
Bryn Celli Ddu
Bryn Celli Ddu is also a Neolithic chambered tomb. It is located on the southeastern side of Ynys Môn, near the village of Llanddaniel Fab. Unlike the Lligwy tomb, Bryn Celli Ddu retains its earthen mound. Its name means the “Mound in the Dark Grove” in English, and it’s one of Anglesey’s most well-known ancient monuments. Here, a henge with a circle of stones was constructed in the early Neolithic period. Later, a chambered tomb was erected beneath the mound that may be up to 85 feet in diameter. A lengthy, narrow passageway opens to an 8-foot-wide octagonal room where artifacts, including human bones, arrowheads, and engraved stones, have been discovered.
The Secret of This Megalithic Site
However, the “secret” of this megalithic site is only seen once a year! Shafts of light shine down the tomb’s corridor as the sun rises on the summer solstice and illuminates the inner chamber. Bryn Celli Ddu is the only tomb on the island with this unique feature.
A Day in an Ancient Celtic Village
It is difficult to describe a typical day in the life of an ancient Celt living at Din Lligwy village, as what we know about their daily routines is limited. However, we can get some ideas based on archaeological findings and what we know about other Celtic societies.
A typical day as an ancient Celt at Din Lligwy would have probably started early in the morning, with the family rising to tend to the livestock and crops. They would have kept animals such as sheep, cattle, and pigs and grown crops such as wheat, barley, and oats. They may also have engaged in hunting and fishing to supplement their diet.
After tending to the animals and crops, the family may have worked on crafts such as metalworking or weaving. Metalworking was an important part of the local economy, as the people of Din Lligwy produced iron tools and weapons. Women would have been responsible for spinning wool and weaving textiles, which they used for clothing and household items.
During the day, the family may have also traded with other local communities, exchanging goods and services such as food, tools, and crafts. They may have also participated in local festivals and ceremonies.
In the evening, the family would have gathered together for a meal. This meal may have been bread, vegetables, and some meat or fish. After dinner, they may have spent time socializing, telling stories, and playing music or games.
What Does Din Lligwy Teach Us About Ancient Wales?
- The remains of Din Lligwy show evidence of a complex social organization. The high-status residence suggests the presence of a local chieftain and his family. This indicates a hierarchical social structure in ancient Wales, with some individuals having more power and influence than others.
- The people who lived at Din Lligwy were engaged in farming, metalworking, and other crafts. These trades tell of a diverse economy in ancient Wales, with individuals and communities specializing in different skills. Additionally, the remains of Din Lligwy suggest that the site was an important center for trade and commerce, with evidence of long-distance trade and exchanging goods and services with other villages.
Celtic and Roman Cultures
- The people who lived at Din Lligwy were part of the Celtic culture that permeated the British Isles during the Iron Age and Roman periods. The site shows us some of the material culture and social customs of the people who dwelt here. There are remnants of roundhouses, ironworking, farming, and keeping their livestock within the surrounding stone wall.
- The site also gives evidence of Roman influence on the local culture and economy. For example, the remains of Roman pottery and coins have been found at the site. These remains indicate that the people of Din Lligwy engaged in trade and commerce with the invading Romans.
Din Lligwy remains a popular tourist attraction as an authentic piece of Welsh history with an otherworldly feel. It allows us to peer into the lives of those who made their homes here nearly two thousand years ago. This ancient window into the past will always contribute to Welsh heritage.
This post was about the ancient hut village Din Lligwy on Ynys Môn (Isle of Anglesey) in North Wales.
You may also enjoy the Copper and Cobalt Trilogy, a fantasy series set in North Wales. Click here for all eReader formats: Universal Book Link and here for Amazon Kindle and paperback: Amazon
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