Said to be an ancient gateway to the land of the Tylwyth Teg (the fairy race), Pentre Ifan's magnificent standing stones make it one of the grandest, and most mysterious, neolithic dolmens on the planet.
THREAD 👇
THREAD 👇
A collection of 7 principal stones, the "Stonehenge of Wales" is a haunting, magical monument, and one of the most complete and dramatic stone dolmens in existence (a 'dolmen' is a megalithic tomb with a large flat stone laid on upright ones).
Built around 5,500 years ago, the dolmen is made up of three upright stones, supporting an almost impossibly massive 5m-long, 16-tonne capstone.
Constructed in a "portal" formation, the standing stones have been the object of archaeological intrigue for centuries.
Constructed in a "portal" formation, the standing stones have been the object of archaeological intrigue for centuries.
Pentre Ifan's sense of magic and mystery is heightened by its surroundings and backdrop.
Its outline frames the the Carningli ridge and the Preseli Hills - source of the famous Pembrokeshire bluestone that built both Stonehenge and Pentre Ifan.
Its outline frames the the Carningli ridge and the Preseli Hills - source of the famous Pembrokeshire bluestone that built both Stonehenge and Pentre Ifan.
There are two theories to the standing stones:
1️⃣
The stones form the entrance to a tomb - covered by a vast 30m (100ft) turf and stone mound.
Burials may have taken place within the chamber, which would be re-used many times.
However, no bone fragments have been found…
1️⃣
The stones form the entrance to a tomb - covered by a vast 30m (100ft) turf and stone mound.
Burials may have taken place within the chamber, which would be re-used many times.
However, no bone fragments have been found…
2️⃣
What we see today is the monument *as intended*.
Its purpose simply to demonstrate the status and skill of the builders, or to add significance and gravitas to an already significant place.
The effect of the enormous stone appearing to float seems deliberate, even desirable.
What we see today is the monument *as intended*.
Its purpose simply to demonstrate the status and skill of the builders, or to add significance and gravitas to an already significant place.
The effect of the enormous stone appearing to float seems deliberate, even desirable.
Pentre Ifan is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and one of three Welsh monuments to receive legal protection under the Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882.
More 👉
🔎 cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-t…
🔦 atlasobscura.com/places/pentre-…
🌅 coflein.gov.uk/en/site/101450…
🧚♀️ pembrokeshirecoast.wales/about-the-nati…
More 👉
🔎 cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-t…
🔦 atlasobscura.com/places/pentre-…
🌅 coflein.gov.uk/en/site/101450…
🧚♀️ pembrokeshirecoast.wales/about-the-nati…
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.@RLGapper, working with @ArchaeoDomus has constructed a fascinating 3D model of the Pentre Ifan standing stones you can explore in your browser.
Awe-inspiring to think that people living in the time of the mammoths built this 👉 p3d.in/42KRO
Awe-inspiring to think that people living in the time of the mammoths built this 👉 p3d.in/42KRO
