Ahhhh….Wales. So beautiful. I just love it here, and am so, so glad I came. With every stop I’ve found something to help with my current project, and the combined mystery and practicality of this place reminds me of Scotland.
But Scotland it is not, for Wales has a charm and insoucience all its own.
The Dan-yr-Ogof caves were …. amazing. I am one of those cranky people who believe that seeing things in their natural form is enough, so the value added of the dinosaurs on the surrounding hillsides did nothing for me.
–They are not aimed at you, kc. [Welsh accented voice in my head]
–I know but, really? Dinos? Because…
— Because nothin’. Let them have their fun, yeah?
Okay, okay. I’ll focus on the bit I loved, shall I? The caves are mostly limestone, carved out by the river Llynfell, which now flows well below them. This is not to say they are not wet, as water continues to flow and shape the insides. The first caves were discovered by the Morgan brothers in 1912, who had a farm nearby. I can’t imagine the kind of nerve it took to go inside. To give you an idea, this is the hole they climbed through initially.
They travelled through the dark, carrying torches and marking the way with ropes so they wouldn’t get lost under ground. And what they found? Amazing.
There are three principle cave systems at Dan-yr-Ogof. The Bone Cave, so called because it was found to house 42 human skeletons, is the smallest. [It’s also filled with ‘value-added’ material like cave men and mood lighting, which is why there are no pictures of it here.] Cathedral cave, originally accessed through a tiny entrance, was simply breathtaking.
And the Dan-yr-Ogof cave system itself, with more than 16 km of explored passageways was filled with the most amazing wonders.
Brilliant rock formations throughout; with water still dripping and running, continuing to reshape the insides even now.
It defines … awe.
Who can tell what lies beneath these magical hills?
More soon…
~kc
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Hi KC,
The archaeologist in me wants to know what was the age of the 42 skeletons? Bronze Age? What was there context? I mean we’re they burials with grave goods? This is fascinating! Thanks for the update. I am enjoying your blog.
Teri from Colorado.
New email below.
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Hi Teri,
So glad you are enjoying! Here’s a bit of what the folks at the caves have to say: “Bone Cave, or ‘Ogof-yr-Esgyrn’, is so called because 42 human skeletons dating back to the Bronze Age (over 3000 years ago) have been discovered in its chamber. Other items including silver rings, fragments of Roman pottery, bone pins, and fine bronze jewellery have also been unearthed, as well as evidence that the Roman legions were stationed in this area.”
So there you have it! My guess is that the people were interred there, as opposed to actually living and dying there. I have it on good authority that neolithic folk did a lot of things in caves, but rarely LIVED inside.
It’s all interesting to me — and good fodder for the book I’m working on, anyway!
~kc
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Thanks for the photos kc. My ex-brother-in-law was a Potholer and would show us some amazing underground photos. Fascinating. We have no idea what is below our feet. Safe travels.
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Thank you, Jean! A potholer, eh? The thing that surprised me most was the size of the cave that is completely possible under the ground. Those giant sink-holes make more sense to me now!
~kc
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I loved this post as my dad’s family came from the Conwy, Wales area. I visited Wales over 25 years ago and loved the rich history and varied countryside. Are you researching genealogy too? My name is Welsh too, thus no one can pronounce it.
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No, not on this trip, Gwynne. [I have Rogers in my family, too!] AND my surname [by marriage] is Welsh. Last week at the Crime Museum exhibit at the Museum of London, there were no less than THREE Dyers who were put to death for their crimes in the 20th century. What does that say about me…? =)
~kc
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I WOULDN’T tell anyone in London your name, if I was you! 😉 My maiden name is Edwards. Grandpa was Edward O. Edwards. There are Roberts in the family too, but I hear that name is as common as Smith. Have fun exploring your heritage! Have fun with the roundabouts too! I learned to drive a left-handed stick-shift over there AND drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road! 😉 ENJOY!
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It all sounds both beautiful and fascinating, but I’m glad it’s you down there and not me. The idea of exploring underground alerts my claustrophobia and would send me fleeing in the opposite direction! Reading about it will have to suffice. 🙂
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It wasn’t too bad, claustraphobia-wise, Carol. A long, low tunnel into the Bone Cave was a bit of a literal pain in the neck, but otherwise I managed to keep my cool pretty well. I’ll take you to a castle next, to compensate, okay? =)
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