Archaeology & Folklore of the “Finest Cromlech in Wales“ - Pentre Ifan, Pembrokeshire

In this video we take a deep dive into the history of this fascinating place, analysing the extensive research that has been done, before exploring the folklore and legends surrounding it. Pentre Ifan does not disappoint - it’s impressive size and striking silhouette have established it as one the most popular of its kind, and it’s popularity has led to a vast number stories, accounts and interpretations going back hundreds, if not thousands of years... This cromlech, like others locally, is estimated to have been constructed around 6000 years ago and is commonly referred to as a burial chamber or portal tomb. But the evidence that it was ever covered over and used for burial is somewhat lacking... Excavations took place in 1936 and in 1958, followed by further research in 1972, that suggests the site was developed over three main phases, we felt compelled to address the fact CADW & Coflein only present the theory that this was a covered burial mound, despite archaeological evidence and opinion now leaning the other way. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIDEO CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro to Pentre Ifan 00:48 Channel Intro 1:12 Excavations & Theories 4:19 Critique of the info on CADW & Coflein 8:24 Folklore & History 12:23 Our First Visit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Books, Documents, Videos & Websites referenced in this video: Neolithic and Bronze Age Pembrokeshire By Timothy Darvill and Geoffrey Wainwright - & Wainwright Cummings, V. and Richards, C. 2014. The essence of the dolmen: the architecture of megalithic construction. Mediterranean Prehistories 2014 - éhistoires_Méditerranéennes_2014?email_work_card=title Monuments in the Making - Cummings, V. and Richards - A REASSESSMENT OF THE NEOLITHIC CHAMBERED TOMBS OF SOUTH-WEST WALES (CARMARTHENSHIRE AND PEMBROKESHIRE) - by Christopher Thompson Barker - A preview of; Archaeology and Folklore 2005 - Edited by Amy Gazin-Schwartz, Cornelius Holtorf - The history of Little England beyond Wales and the non-Kymric colony settled in Pembrokeshire - by Edward Laws - Rising from ruins: Pentre Ifan - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great map resource - Great book resources - Great ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ You can also find us on other social media: