Pentre Ifan

Pentre Ifan burial chamber lies on the slopes of the Preseli mountains in Pembrokshire and is reputed to be one of the best examples of an early Neolithic tomb in the U.K.

As we approach the Burial chamber, the first thing to catch the eye is the huge Capstone. It is estimated to weigh between 16 and 17 tons and is 16 feet long. Near to this chamber or cromlech as it is known in Welsh there is a seam of rock that comes to the surface, this rock is known as dolerite rock which was the source of the better known Blue stones that were used in the remodelling of the famous Stonehenge about 2100 B.C. nobody knows how the massive stones got from here to near Amesbury 200 miles away in Wiltshire, and I don't suppose anybody ever will know

Below

Beyond the Chamber we see the inspiring Carningli.

Knowing the weight and length of the capstone my mind went to the support, there didn't seem to be very much. In fact it is supported by just three stones with pointed ends. The three stones are very big but the parts in contact with the Capstone are small as you can see. The one in the 1st picture is on the point of the Capstone.

In the picture below you can have a good idea how narrow the points are.

Below

Here I try to convey some idea of the height of these stones that once formed the entrance to the burial chamber. It must be remembered that the Capstone as we see it today lay on top of a huge mound and the upright stones formed pillars supporting it, today visitors wonder at the skill of the workers of that age so long ago, and show their faith in their work.

Below

This shows the view of what is said to be have been the entrance, The middle upright stone that we can see supposedly opened to allow bodies to be placed in the Tomb, but this does not seem possible, it appears more likely that the entrance was from the side.

below

Full view of the chamber.



I hope to be able to show some more pictures soon.