Newgrange

7
Newgrange Newgrange is a prehistoric monument, dating to 3000 BC, located in County Meath, on the eastern side of Ireland, about one kilometre north of the River Boyne. It is aligned with the rising sun on the winter solstice, which floods the stone room with light (if it isn’t a cloudy day!) After its initial use, the entrance to Newgrange was sealed and it remained blocked and unknown, except as a mound, for several millennia. It first began to be studied as a prehistoric monument in the 17 th century. Various excavations took place at the site before it was largely restored to an interpretation of its original Neolithic appearance by conservators in the 1970s.

description

May 20-30, 2011 Tour of Newgrange, Ireland

Transcript of Newgrange

Page 1: Newgrange

NewgrangeNewgrange is a prehistoric monument, dating to 3000 BC, located in County Meath, on the eastern side of Ireland, about one kilometre north of the River Boyne. It is aligned with the rising sun on the winter solstice, which floods the stone room with light (if it isn’t a cloudy day!)

After its initial use, the entrance to Newgrange was sealed and it remained blocked and unknown, except as a mound, for several millennia. It first began to be studied as a prehistoric monument in the 17th century. Various excavations took place at the site before it was largely restored to an interpretation of its original Neolithic appearance by conservators in the 1970s.

Page 2: Newgrange

The approach to the Newgrange mound. The white stones in the walls are quartz from more than 30 miles away.

Page 3: Newgrange

Outside the entrance to the Newgrange tomb

Page 4: Newgrange

The mound has base stones and clever ledges to support the weight of the mound.

Page 5: Newgrange

A nearby prehistoric structure

Page 6: Newgrange

Prehistoric stone carvings, spirals and diamonds

Page 7: Newgrange

A woven wicker bench and wattle walls. Wish I had a garden like this!