Sunday, July 8, 2007
Newgrange was excavated and much restored between 1962 and 1975, under the supervision of Prof. Michael J O'Kelly, Dep't. of Archaeology, University College, Cork (O'Kelly 1986). It consists of a vast man-made stone and turf mound retained within a circle of 97 large kerbstones topped by a high inward-leaning wall of white quartz and granite. Most of the stones were sourced locally (within a radius of 20km or so) but the quartz and granite stones of the facade must have been sourced further afield, most probably in Wicklow and Dundalk bay respectively.
Newgrange entrance
Entrance to Newgrange
Entrance to Newgrange with megalithic art on the massive kerbstones
Reconstructured inward-leaning wall of white quartz and granite around Newgrange
Newgrange
Reconstructured inward-leaning wall of white quartz and granite around Newgrange
Newgrange
Reconstructured inward-leaning wall of white quartz and granite around Newgrange
Entrance stone with megalithic art
Closeup view of the megalithic carvings on this kerbstone lying at the entrance of Newgrange
Diagram explaining the winter solstice at Newgrange. Every year, at the time of the winter solstice, the sun shines directly along the long passage into the chamber for about 17 minutes as it rises. The alignment with the sun is too precise to have occurred by chance. The sun however, does not enter the passage at Newgrange through the main entrance, but rather through a specially contrived opening, known as a roofbox, which is directly above the entrance.
Newgrange
Reconstructured inward-leaning wall of white quartz and granite around Newgrange
Reconstructured inward-leaning wall of white quartz and granite around Newgrange
Newgrange
Newgrange
Newgrange
Newgrange
Newgrange
Newgrange
Newgrange
Newgrange
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Ruins of a Norman building in Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Inside of Knowth
On top of Knowth
View from the top of Knowth to the entrance of the complex
Knowth
Knowth
River Boyne around Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Knowth
Bridge to the visitors centre
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
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