The National Showcaves Centre for Wales

Stone Circles

Stone circles are known to have been in existence since the Neolithic period (circa 10,000BC) until the end of the Bronze Age (circa 700BC).

They tended not to contain any signs of dwelling, and often did not encompass graves, and therefore it is supposed that they, as well as standing stones, were erected for ceremonial purposes.

Burial chambers, known as dolmens or portal tombs, were constructed using two or more upright stones supporting a flat tablet stone. Dolmens were originally covered with earth or smaller stones, which would have been eroded away over time.