Pentre Ifan

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Pentre Ifan Dolmen - side view
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Pentre Ifan Dolmen - side view
View of Portal
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View of Portal
A possible reconstruction
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A possible reconstruction

Pentre Ifan is the name of an ancient manor in the parish of Nevern, North Pembrokeshire, Wales. It contains the largest and best preserved neolithic dolmen in Wales.

[edit] History

The dolmen dates from approximately 3500 B.C. and 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 m long. 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. It is delicately supported by the narrow tips of three uprights. The facade surrounding the portal was built with carefully constructed dry-stone walling.


The dolmen is owned and maintained by Cadw[1], 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.


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/

Coordinates: 51°59′55″N, 4°46′10″W