Prehistoric & Roman Wales

Anglesey Ancient Prehistoric Sites

Interested in pre-historic ancient sites and a prolithic number of Neolithic burial sites? Welcome to the Isle of Anglesey, an island renowned for it's huge number of pre-historic sites. There's evidence here of human habitation as far back as the Mesolithic period around 7000 BC.

One of the best Neolithic burial sites is Bryn Celli Ddu (near Llanfair PG just over the Menai Bridge). Head also to the spectacular Barclodiad y Gawres on the mid west coast of Anglesey below Rhosneign for another of Anglesey's famous burial sites - this one's perched out on a headland. Just below Barclodiad is Aberffraw where the first evidence of the presence of man was discovered here on Anglesey in 7000 BC.

Moving forward, the Celts are sited as arriving on Anglesey around 500BC, and evidence of their presence is everywhere. In 1943 an amazing find was uncovered at Llyn Cerrig Bach near Caergeilog (easily reached via the A55).

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Segontium Roman Fort Wales Caernarfon

Edward I and the English weren't the first to dominate the Caernarfon area of North Wales. The Romans dominated this area, and Anglesey and for an example of a preserved Roman Fort of mammoth proportions Sergontium Roman Fort demands your attention. It's the only Roman fort site in Wales revealing the internal layout of a Roman Auxiliary Fort, and it's dates from circa AD 77.

Around AD 77 Ceasar Julius Agricola had completed his conquest of Wales with the conquest of Anglesey. The Segontium Roman Fort was both a military and administrative centre at this most important Roman Garrison on the western edge of the Roman Empire.

Coins have been discovered on this Roman site revealing that Segontium was garrisoned up until AD 394 - so the Romans were there for quite a while! From this fort the Romans for a period dominated the fertile and mineral rich Anglesey, plus they defended the site against Irish pirates and raiders. An excellent museum is on-site.

Roman Dolaucothi Gold Mines near Llandovery

Just to the north of Llandovery sits the unique Roman Gold mines of Dolauchothi. The site is set within attractive wooded hillsides in the Cothi Valley and is run by the National Trust.

You can take guided underground tours to explore the workings, plus there's an exhibition on gold - surprise surprise! Dolauchothi doesn't just offer a rare opportunity to explore Roman gold mines, it's also a stunningly beautiful North Carmarthenshire spot, with exquisite views of the Cothi Valley on offer, plus numerous walking trails in the area.

Gold mining was going on here almost 2000 years ago, and the network of gold mining pits, challels, adits and tanks still exist. Mining was also taken up again here in the 19th and 20th century (it peaked in 1938). Recent mining works can also be viewed on the tour. You'll need good stout footwear for the underground tour. A tearoom and baby changing facilities plus toilets are all on-site. Note also the Carreg Pumsaint Standing Stone Megalith situated near Dolaucothi.

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Amlwch Copper Mining History & Parys Mountain Copper Mines

Anglesey today paints an image of pretty fishing harbours, glorious beaches, dramatic castles and ancient sites. Easy to miss then the industrial history of Anglesey, and it's importance within copper mining. A visit to the Parys Mountain Copper Mine about 2 miles just outside Amlwch is a must on the Anglesey Industrial heritage trail.

The copper mines here at Parys have been mined since the Bronze Age - that's around 3500 years ago! In the 18th and 19th century, however, this copper mine was the largest in the world!! Mining finally ceased here in the early 2th century. Today you can explore this fascinating industrial heritage by taking and underground mine tour.

See also the ancient Copper mines on the Great Orme Natural Park in Llandudno on the North Wales Coast.

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