Pentre Ifan (literally “Ivan’s Village”), contains and gives its name to the largest and best preserved neolithic dolmen in Wales

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A notable neolithic dolmen exists in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Dating back to around 5500 years ago. It is huge; and, has views of the valley and, surrounding area. Making it one of the most dramatic megalithic tombs in the region.

Its location on the slopes of the Preseli Hills, may have held spiritual significance for the people who built it

Currently it has seven principal stones
The huge capstone. Is 5 m (16 ft) long; 2.4 m (7.9 ft) wide; and, 0.9 m (3.0 ft) thick. Resting on the tips of 3 other stones. It’s estimated to weigh 16 tonnes! Some 2.5 m (8.2 ft) off the ground.

There’s also three other large stones
Two portal stones form an entrance; and, a third, appears to block the doorway.

It is similar rock to the bluestones used at Stonehenge
In southern England.

It is believed to be a communal burial site
Its chamber likely held the remains of individuals. And, structure may have been covered with an earthen mound. Though today, it is eroded away.

Excavations have revealed fragments of pottery and flint tools
Suggesting that the area was used for ceremonial or ritual purposes.

Pentre Ifan is a important part of rich prehistoric heritage in Wales. It will continue to be a site of fascination for archaeologists, historians, and tourists alike.

Bibliography: Cummings, Vicki; Richards, Colin (2014). “The essence of the dolmen: the Architecture of megalithic construction” (http://pm.revues.org/944). Préhistoires Méditerranéennes (En ligne). Colloque – 2014 Functions, uses and representations of space in the monumental graves of Neolithic Europe. Association pour la promotion de la préhistoire et de l’anthropologie méditerranéennes (published 29 October 2014). ISSN 1167-492X (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1167-492X)

Cadw. “Pentre-Ifan Burial Chamber (PE008)” (https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/sam/FullReport?lang=en&id=3705). National Historic Assets of Wales

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