With a name like The Hill of the Goblins, one might expect something exciting to be hidden within Bryn yr Ellyllon, near Flintshire, Wales. They’d be right.
When workmen absolutely broke into the ancient burial mound in 1833, they couldn’t believe what they’d found. It turned out the site was a literal treasure trove of ancient artifacts, the most impressive of which was a solid gold artifact known as the Mold Gold Cape.
Ever since this impressive Bronze Age burial mound, has captured the imagination of archaeologists and historians alike. And yet at its heart lies an enduring mystery, one which we may never solve.
The Golden Treasure of the Hill of the Goblins
The Hill of the Goblins, or Bryn yr Ellyllon as it’s known in Welsh, is a burial mound found near the town of Flintshire, Wales. This ancient site is believed to date back to around 1900-1600 BC, making it close to four thousand years old. Unsurprisingly, over the years it has become a focal point for archaeological exploration.
This exploration began with un unexpected discovery in 1833 when workmen accidentally broke into the mound. Stories vary as to what they were doing, although the most widely accepted have them either filling a gravel pit or quarrying for stone. Either way, the mound quickly gained international attention with the discovery of the Mold Gold Cape, a breathtaking artifact of unparalleled craftsmanship.
The Mold Gold Cape was crafted from intricately hammered gold sheets and adorned with intricate motifs and designs. It is widely considered to be one of the most impressive pieces of prehistoric sheet gold working ever discovered and nothing quite like it has been discovered elsewhere, both its form and design are completely unique.
The cape was found on the body of someone who had been buried in a stone-lined grave known as a rough cist. Sadly, during excavation, both the body and cape were severely damaged.
The cape itself was broken up and dispersed among several people and it took years for the cape to be restored. To this day it still isn’t whole with most of it being split between the British Museum and a museum at the site itself.
It’s believed the cape was originally decorated with two to three hundred beads but only a single one survives today. However there have been other finds: along with the cape pieces coarse cloth and sixteen bronze sheet fragments have also been found. Archaeologists suspect that the cloth and bronze were attached to the Mold Gold Cape as a kind of backing.
When whole the cape would have measured 458 mm (18.0 in) wide and was most likely designed to be worn by someone rather skinny, either a teenager or a slender woman. The sex of the body found with the cape is still unknown but other finds at the site point to it being a woman when compared to other Bronze Age burial sites in Britain.
Alongside the Mold Gold Cape, excavations at Bryn yr Ellyllon have uncovered a wealth of other artifacts, including pottery fragments, stone tools, pots filled with human ashes, and other remains. The quality of the items found at the site, especially the cape, indicates that the cape was made by a wealthy culture.
Historians suspect that whoever was buried at Bryn yr Ellyllon was connected to the nearby Great Orme mine in North Wales.
Secrets of the Cape
The various discoveries at Bryn yr Ellyllon offer invaluable insights into the cultural, artistic, and religious practices of Bronze Age Wales. Of particular interest is the Mold Gold Cape which was beaten out of a single ingot of high-quality gold, a time-consuming and laborious process that would have taken a lot of skill.
The cape was then decorated with repousse (an advanced metalworking technique) concentric rings of ribs and bosses. Decoration covers almost every inch of the cape with next to no “plain” gold remaining. While stunning, no one is sure what the cape’s design represents although it has been suggested it’s meant to mimic strings of beads or the folds of a cloth cape.
The design appears to have both local and continental influences. Similar designs can be found in the bronze age metalwork of eastern France and Central Europe as well as Scotland and Wessex gold pieces.
The cape’s intricate design also makes it the last major piece of second-millennium BC sheetwork discovered, a relic from a civilization which disappeared soon after. Later found goldwork is much less intricate and is mainly found in the form of chunky solid bracelets and rings.
Moreover, the presence of other artifacts, such as pottery fragments and stone tools, provides clues about daily life and technological advancements during the Bronze Age. Pottery shards offer insights into cooking techniques, food storage, and social customs, while stone tools shed light on hunting, agriculture, and craftsmanship.
The burial of these artifacts alongside human remains underscores the significance of Bryn yr Ellyllon as a ceremonial site and burial ground. It suggests a belief in an afterlife or spiritual realm, where the deceased were accompanied by cherished possessions or symbols of status into the next world.
Why Were They There?
The presence of such remarkable artifacts at Bryn yr Ellyllon raises intriguing questions about the motivations behind their placement within the burial mound. While the exact reasons remain speculative, several theories offer insight into the possible significance of these offerings.
- The Roman Invasion of Anglesey and the Fall of the Celtic Druids
- Jade Burial Suits: Grave Goods with a Hidden Purpose
One hypothesis posits that the artifacts, including the Mold Gold Cape, were buried alongside individuals of high status as symbols of wealth, power, and prestige. This theory suggests that these items served to affirm the social standing of the deceased in the afterlife, ensuring their continued status and influence beyond the grave.
Another interpretation suggests that the artifacts held ritual or ceremonial significance, possibly used in religious practices or funerary rites. The intricate designs and motifs adorning the Mold Gold Cape hint at a connection to spiritual beliefs or cosmic symbolism, implying a role in rituals honoring the deceased or invoking divine favor.
Furthermore, the placement of pottery fragments and stone tools alongside human remains suggests a belief in the importance of the afterlife and the provision of necessities for the journey beyond. These offerings may have been intended to accompany the deceased on their passage to the next world, ensuring their comfort and well-being in the afterlife.
Whatever the interpretation, Bryn yr Ellyllon stands as a poignant reminder of Wales’s rich and enigmatic past. Through the discovery of artifacts like the Mold Gold Cape, we catch fleeting glimpses of the lives, beliefs, and rituals of our ancient ancestors.
As we continue to study and preserve these treasures, we honor the enduring legacy of Bronze Age Wales and the ingenuity of those who came before us. The Hill of the Goblins serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving and understanding our archaeological heritage for future generations.
Top Image: The Mold Gold Cape on display at the British Museum. Source: David Monniaux / CC BY-SA 3.0.
References
