A protected Bronze Age burial site on Denbigh Moors in Conwy has been damaged after a vehicle drove over the landmark, leaving visible tyre marks on the 4,000-year-old monument. The site, part of Wales’ ancient heritage, sustained harm that has prompted an investigation by local authorities.

Police were alerted to the incident by a nearby farmer and have since launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the damage. PC Dave Allen of North Wales Police’s rural crime team emphasized the importance of preserving such sites, stating that they form a crucial part of cultural heritage that should be safeguarded for future generations.

The site affected is one of many Bronze Age burial mounds, known as cairns, found throughout Wales. These structures were constructed around 2,000 BCE to serve as graves for individuals or groups, and are considered significant archaeological and historical landmarks.

Jeff Spencer, a representative from Cadw—the Welsh government’s historic environment service responsible for protecting ancient monuments—warned that any damage to these sites is irreversible. “If these sites are damaged or destroyed they can never be put back as they were,” Spencer noted, underscoring the fragility and historical value of such locations.

Authorities continue to assess the damage and investigate the incident, with efforts focused on preventing further degradation of protected archaeological sites across the region.