The Brenig 41 Barrow lies on an island at the northern end of the Llyn Brenig reservoir. For a close look you will require a boat! No problem however for seafaring types as boats are available for hire during the summer from the Brenig Visitor Centre. For land-lubbers the best viewing spot is from the western side of the lake near the Brenig 40 Barrow.

The barrow was fully excavated and restored in 1973 during the massive archaeological investigation of the area made prior to the flooding of the valley.

A large grave pit was found on the ground surface at the centre of the barrow. Only one small fragment of bone was found in the pit however signs of disturbance at the top of the mound and the discovery of an 19th century plasterer's trowel in the grave indicate that the barrow was robbed many years previously. The size of the grave pit suggests that it contained an inhumation burial which would make this barrow unique at Brenig as all the other funery sites contained cremation burials.

Interesting features of the internal structure of the barrow were also detected. Three concentric circles of wooden posts were found. The outer circle which defined the circumference of the mound was erected some years earlier than the inner circles and may have been built to demarcate and reserve the area for future ritual use. The inner circles had evidence of wicker fencing. These fences may have been erected to aid the laying of the turves which formed the bulk of the mound and keep shape and form during construction. The barrow was finally covered with a layer of yellowish clay no doubt for visual effect.

Although no carbon dating evidence was obtained for this site, it is thought that the barrow's prominent position in the Brenig Ritual Landscape makes it one of the earlier monuments built around 2000 BC.

Location: Denbighshire, Wales
Grid Ref: SH979570