A Day in One Photo: Newgrange

This is Newgrange, one of three large passage tombs in the Bend of Boyne outside of Dublin in Co. Meath. Passage tombs are from the Neolithic period and are named after their long passage down the center of the structure that ends in three chambers (forming the shape of a cross) with the east end being the largest and most important. Each chamber has a single basin stone, which is where cremated remains of several different people would have been placed. This particular passage tomb has an entry stone which you can see, its the long horizontal rock in the center of the photo. It features original artwork including three swirls and several squares. These are thought to perhaps represent the surrounding landscape, with the squares being farmland, and the three swirls being the three passage tombs (Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth). 

The current reconstruction of Newgrange is based on Professor O'Kelly's excavations in the 60s and 70s. He found these white quartz stones on the ground in front of the mound and using their position calculated the exact angle of the wall before it fell! Some disagree with his findings however and say that the quartz was actually a pathway around the front of the structure. According to O'Kelly's plans, the quartz would have continued up to the opening and people would have slipped over the entrance stone that I mentioned to get into the tomb. Because that would gradually destroy the artwork, they opened up part of the wall (illustrated by the grey stone) and put in the stairs. The interior of the structure hasn't needed any work however. The creators of the tomb placed the ceiling support rocks so perfectly that even without mortar the structure has stood since the Neolithic, and not even a drop of rain has ever penetrated the cover.

Ok, I'll share one last thing!! Inside the tomb is pitch black but when the sun hits the entrance just right on the winter solstice (right Holly?) the light projects into the end chamber and goes across the floor. Even now, important Irish leaders and a lucky lottery winner get to go into the tomb and witness this same phenomenon that people witnessed thousands and thousands of years ago.