Bodowyr Chambered Tomb

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a burial chamber probably dating to the Neolithic (c.4000BC to c.2500BC). It is located close to the summit of a gentle hill with expansive views of Snowdonia.

This small polygonal chamber has never been excavated, but its form is characteristic of a passage grave. It is clearly defined by five upright stones, one of which has now fallen. In fact, only three of these now support the massive mushroom-shaped capstone, some 2.4m long and 1.8m wide. The low upright on the east side of the chamber may mark the position of the original entrance passage. The stones would have been originally covered by a circular cairn.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. The burial chamber is an important relic of a prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape. It retains significant archaeological potential and there is a strong probability of the presence of burial, ritual or structural evidence.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is circular and measures approximately 32m in diameter.