History: Burial chambers reveal Wales’ Neolithic past.

Nestled within the valleys, hills and open fields of Wales, it is one of the most remarkable collections of prehistoric Neolithic burial chambers in Western Europe.

These ancient structures, which date from 4,000 to 2,000 BC, stand as enduring testaments to early human culture and belief systems. are

Around 250 examples are scattered across the Welsh landscape – although experts estimate this represents only a third of the sites that once existed.

George Nash, Professor of Archeology at the University of Coimbra and Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool, explores this shift in his book The Neolithic Tombs of Vales.

It observes the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to farming communities.

This marked a significant change in human history, promoting more permanent settlements and rituals that celebrated the dead.

Professor Nash highlighted the profound changes in burial practices over the 2,000-year period of the Neolithic period.

“Two thousand years is a long time, even for us today,” Professor Nash said.

“Just imagine how religious practices have evolved since the birth of Christianity.

“Similarly, we see changes in Neolithic architecture and burial practices, from natural caves to constructed stone tombs and earthen mounds, and from simple burials to cremation… bodies exposed to the elements. The process of revealing until only bones remain.”

Burial is believed to have originated among early Neolithic groups in the “Fertile Crescent” — a region that includes parts of modern-day Turkey, Israel, Syria and Lebanon — and gradually spread westward. before

This process took at least 600 years.

“With this westward expansion came not only burial traditions, but also tools, pottery and jewelry intended to accompany the dead in the afterlife,” Professor Nash explained.

“Although no written evidence survives, these artifacts suggest an early belief in an afterlife where such items might be needed.”

The majority of Welsh burial sites are located near the coast, a pattern Professor Nash attributes to the strategic advantages these areas offer.

Proximity to the sea allowed Neolithic communities to sustain themselves with fishing and marine resources, with important supplements in the event of crop failure or loss of livestock.

The availability of stone in the coastal areas further contributed to the preservation of these monuments.

“The remoteness of these areas, as well as their marginal agricultural value, helped to protect many sites from modern development and agricultural practices,” notes Professor Nash.

“This is in contrast to Britain and other parts of Europe, where road construction and field clearance during the 18th and 19th centuries largely destroyed these monuments.”

DNA evidence suggests that the earliest monuments, such as portal dolmens (or cromlechs in Welsh), were reserved for the elite of society.

Over time, large mass tombs emerged, reflecting a shift toward burying family groups or community members.

“A striking example is the Parc Le Breus CWM burial ground on the Gower Peninsula,” he said.

“Situated in a secluded valley, this trapezoidal monument contains five chambers containing the remains of approximately 40 individuals, classified by age, sex and even species – including dogs.”

Professor Nash concluded: “Wells offers a unique lens into the Neolithic world, providing an insight into the lives and beliefs of its first farmers.

“These enigmatic stone monuments represent a window into the past where no written accounts are available, and the evidence is often reduced to a few stones, scattered pottery shards and human remains.

“From this limited assemblage, archaeologists can tell a lot”.