Ö÷²¥´óÐã

Evidence of the existence of the pre-historic peoples of Wales is to be found all over the country, literally on the ground as well as under it, and much of this relates to the burial of human remains.

Many sites have similar characteristics, making a strong case for the existence of a common belief system throughout the area during various periods, particularly when dealing with death. Perhaps this is why pre-historic religions have such a morbid image - for example the popular images of bloodthirsty Druidic sacrifices. Evidence of rituals for marriages and births is not so widespread, or has yet to be identified as such.

One of the earliest burial sites was found at a cave on the Gower coast. Known as the , the skeleton actually belongs to a young man and dates from about 25,000 years ago. It is one of the oldest ceremonial burials found in western Europe. Buried alongside the remains was jewellery made from ivory and sea shells, and a mammoth's skull. The red ochre discovered on the remains suggests a symbolic link with blood, and there is a theory that the young man was a shaman, or a witch doctor figure.

Following the end of the last Ice Age some 10,000 years ago, people returned to what is now Wales. The period up to the Bronze Age, around 4,000 years ago, was the time that saw the building of dolmens and stone circles across the western fringes of Europe. A dolmen, or cromlech, is a prehistoric megalith typically having two or three upright stones and a capstone. They are thought to be burial chambers and according to historians they are the earliest permanent structures built by people, older than the pyramids of Egypt. There are around 150 dolmens in Wales, the most notable being at in Preseli, Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire also has a link with the most famous stone circle in Britain, Stonehenge, as its inner circle consists of bluestones, apparently from the same Preseli hills as where Pentre Ifan is situated. And Pembrokeshire's own ancient stone circle is to be found in the same area at Gors Fawr, near Crymych. There are numerous others across .

These circles are believed to have been places for religious rituals, but no records survive of what actually went on.

This tradition of erecting stone circles was revived following the activities of 18th century antiquarian Iolo Morgannwg. It became a part of the activities of the National Eisteddfod, and to the present day wherever the Eisteddfod visits a stone circle is erected, and is the focus of Bardic ceremonies during . This is partly why people think the ancient Druids worshipped at these stone circles.

The introduction of metal working to Wales, combined with a change of climate, seems to have had an effect on the religious practices of the native people. For a start they stopped erecting dolmens and stone circles. The making of metal was believed to be an act of magic in itself, and many objects were made from this precious substance in its various forms - bronze and iron as well the more precious varieties of gold, silver and copper.

These objects seem to have become the basis of a religion based on their being given as offerings to the gods. Various metal objects dating from this period, from weapons to domestic utensils, have been discovered at the bottom of ancient lakes, such as Llyn Cerrig Fach and Llyn Fawr.

The religious leaders of these rituals became known as the Druids. We know a little more about them than their predecessors because they were around when the Roman Empire was expanding into north western Europe, a period relatively well documented. Julius Caesar wrote of Druids during his wars with the Gauls, and the historian Tacitus describes graphically the invasion of the Druidic stronghold of Anglesey, or , in 60 AD.

The raid on Anglesey effectively marked the end of Druidism as an effective force in Britain, but worship of their gods was tolerated under the Roman regime.