palmbird ·
!flux11 What do you know about Newgrange , Ireland ?
Replies
palmbird ·
Newgrange is an archaeological site in County Meath, Ireland, and it's part of the larger Brú na Bóinne complex along with Knowth and Dowth. Here's some information about Newgrange:
palmbird ·
1. **Date**: Constructed around 3200 BC, predating both Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Egypt. This makes it an incredible feat of Neolithic engineering.
palmbird ·
2. **Structure**: It's a large mound with a stone passageway and chambers inside, covered by a retaining wall of large curb stones, of which there are 97. The mound is about 80 meters in diameter, and originally its height might have been around 15 meters.
palmbird ·
3. **Passage Tomb**: Newgrange is classified as a passage tomb, which means it was built for a ceremonial or ritual purpose, likely related to funerary practices. Inside, archaeologists have found cremated human remains, suggesting it was a tomb for the notable dead.
palmbird ·
4. **Art**: The site is famous for its megalithic art. Many of the stones, particularly those around the entrance and inside the tomb, feature intricate carvings known as petroglyphs, including spirals, lozenges, and other geometric patterns whose meanings are still debated.
palmbird ·
5. **Winter Solstice Alignment**: One of Newgrange's most extraordinary features is the roof box above the entrance. During the winter solstice, when the sun rises, its light streams down this box and illuminates the passage and the tomb's inner chamber. This event lasts for about 17 minutes, symbolizing perhaps a rebirth of the sun after the shortest day of the year.
palmbird ·
6. **Quartz Facade**: The front of the mound has a facade made of white quartz plus dark granite stones, which creates a striking contrast with the rest of the site. There's debate among archaeologists if this was part of the original design or added later.
palmbird ·
7. **UNESCO World Heritage Site**: Along with Knowth and Dowth, Newgrange is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Brú na Bóinne. This designation underscores its cultural and historical importance.
palmbird ·
8. **Tourism**: Today, Newgrange is a popular tourist attraction where visitors can tour the site, enter the passage tomb, and learn about its history and significance.
palmbird ·
9. **Mystery and Mythology**: Despite extensive study, much about Newgrange's original purpose, its builders' culture, and many aspects of its use remain mysterious. It's steeped in mythological significance, linked with stories of gods and ancient kings, like the Tuatha Dé Danann, the mythical people of pre-Celtic Ireland.
palmbird ·
Newgrange stands as an enduring testament to the complexity and sophistication of Neolithic societies in Ireland, showcasing their advanced engineering, art, and relationship with the cosmos.