Castell Bryn Gwyn facts for kids
Castell Bryn Gwyn, view south from the bank
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| Location | Anglesey, Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Great Britain |
| Coordinates | 53°10′42″N 4°17′52″W / 53.1784°N 4.2978°W |
| Type | enclosure |
| Width | 64m |
| Height | 1.5m |
| History | |
| Material | clay, gravel, dry stone |
| Founded | end Neolithic |
| Periods | Neolithic, Iron Age, Roman |
| Site notes | |
| Management | Cadw |
| Public access | Yes |
Castell Bryn Gwyn is a fascinating prehistoric site located on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales. It's a large, circular mound made of clay and gravel, covered with grass. This ancient structure is still about 1.5 meters (5 feet) high. Stone walls were built around the outside to make it stronger, surrounding a flat area about 54 meters (177 feet) across. In Welsh, its name means "White Hill Castle."
Contents
What is Castell Bryn Gwyn?
Castell Bryn Gwyn is an ancient site that has been used for thousands of years. It's mainly a large, round bank of earth. This bank is made from clay and gravel. It also has stone walls on the outside.
What Was Its Original Purpose?
No one is completely sure what Castell Bryn Gwyn was first used for. Some experts think it might have been a special religious place. It could have been a sanctuary where people gathered for important ceremonies.
How Old is This Site?
The oldest parts of Castell Bryn Gwyn date back to the end of the Neolithic period. This was around 2500 to 2000 BC. During this time, it might have been a type of monument called a henge. A henge is a circular earthwork, often with a ditch and bank.
Later Uses of the Site
Over many centuries, people continued to use and change Castell Bryn Gwyn.
- During the Iron Age, new walls were built to make it stronger.
- Later, in Roman times, it was made even more secure.
- It seems to have been an important place for a very long time.
Visiting Castell Bryn Gwyn
Castell Bryn Gwyn is a great place to explore history. It is open to the public. You can walk around the ancient earthworks.
How to Get There
Parking near the site is limited. You can reach Castell Bryn Gwyn by taking a footpath from the A4080 road. This path leads you right to the site.
Exploring the Area
There are other interesting paths nearby if you want to explore more.
- One path goes southwest along a low ridge. It passes over small fences called stiles. This path leads to the Bryn Gwyn stones, which are also very old.
- Another path goes northeast. It passes the spot where a stone circle called Tre'r Dryw Bach once stood. This is about 800 meters (half a mile) away.
- The northeast path continues to Caer Lêb. There, you'll find a small road with some parking.
Castell Bryn Gwyn is managed by Cadw. Cadw is the Welsh government's historic environment service. They help protect and care for important historical sites in Wales.
