Ancient Tombstones, 5th or 6th Century CE, St. Hywyn's Church, Aberdaron, Llŷn Peninsula, Wales
These are the tombstones of two Christian priests of the late 5th or early 6th Century CE. They were found in the valley of the headwaters of the river Saint, near Gors Farm, Mynnydd Annelog.
The reference to "many brethren" on the second stone suggests that they came from the cemetery of a religious community perhaps a monastery.
It is likely that the religious community at Aberdaron was the successor to the one at Anelog and that both had close links with Bardsey Island.
The stones are natural water- worn boulders, the lettering is careful and sophisticated, with usual abbreviations. The men who inscribed these tombstones probably spoke Latin as well as ancient British [pre-Welsh] and lived within the world of Christian classical culture.
