Pentre Ifan
Pentre Ifan is the name of an ancient manor in the civil parish of Nevern, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It contains the largest and best preserved neolithic dolmen in Wales.
History
The dolmen dates from approximately 3,500 B.C. and, possibly, was used as a communal burial. The existing stones form the portal and main chamber of the tomb, which would originally have been covered with a large stone mound about 36.6 m long and 17 m wide.[1] Some of the stones have been scattered, but at least seven are in their original position. The capstone is 5.1 m in length, and is estimated to weigh 16 tonnes, and rises 2.4 m above the ground. It is delicately supported by the narrow tips of three uprights. The facade surrounding the portal was built with carefully constructed dry stone walling.
Archaeological excavations have taken place in 1936/1937 and 1958/1959, both led by William Francis Grimes.
The dolmen is owned and maintained by Cadw,[2] the Welsh Historic Monuments Agency. The site is well-kept and entrance is free. It is located about 6 km by road from Newport and 17 km from Cardigan.
External links
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Pentre Ifan and surrounding area
- The best preserved megalithic site in Wales - Extrageographic
- http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=6392
Coordinates: 51°59′56″N 4°46′12″W / 51.9990°N 4.7700°W
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