The Secrets of Newgrange Revealed: Ireland’s Masterpiece that Predates The Pyramids
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Ireland is home to an ancient astrological and spiritual monument that is older than both Stonehenge and the great pyramids of Egypt. In fact, the grand passage tomb at Newgrange was built during the Neolithic period in Europe more than 500 years before construction even began on the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, with the Irish tomb built over 5,000 years ago, around 3200 BC.
Newgrange is a large circular mound with a stone passageway inside and a Cruciform, or cross-like chamber, with various recesses. Human bones and offerings have been found in this chamber, and many of the inner stones contain megalithic art. Outside, a circle of standing stones surround the mound, which potentially served an astrological function.
It was built in the modern county of Meath in eastern Ireland, on the banks of the River Boyne and close to the town of Drogheda. The grand circular mound of Newgrange is the main monument in the complex Brú na Bóinne, or Boyne Valley Tombs. This complex is made up of other passage tombs such as Knowth and Dowth, whilst also being home to other ancient monuments such as standing stones.
It is thought that it was in in use for around 1,000 years. It has featured in Irish mythology down through the centuries, and was often said to be the home of the Irish god The Dagda and his son Aengus. It is sometimes referred to as the portal to the otherworld.
Many of the stones of Newgrange are covered in megalithic art. This is one similarity that Newgrange shares with other ancient tomb sites around Europe, including the Gavrinis tomb located on the small island of the Gulf of Morbihan in southern Brittany. Both sites share spiral-like megalithic art which are carved onto stones. Ireland in general is home to the most megalithic art in Europe, with much found in the Boyne valley. Brittany in France has the second highest concentration.
Newgrange is aligned with the winter solstice. In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice is on the 21st of December and is the day in the year which has the least amount of daylight and the longest night. During a winter solstice at Newgrange, the rising sun shines through a roofbox in the monument and baths the 62 foot long inner chamber in sunlight. This magical display of light lasts for around 17 minutes, and would undoubtedly be part of grand ceremony in ancient times.
The roofbox was discovered in modern times by Professor MJ O’Kelly, who, on the 21st of December, 1967, was the first person in potentially thousands of year to witness this moving display. Although parts of the Newgrange mound have been restored, with the sides potentially being covered in a smooth surface that would reflect light, the roof has largely remained as one for over 5,000 years, and is still waterproof.
Newgrange is ultimately a grange tomb. Yet it's hard to imagine that Newgrange was not at the spiritual and ceremonial centre of the ancient Irish community that surrounded it.
Sources:
Newgrange, Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange
Irish Central, Kate Hickey, Magic of Newgrange at winter solstice never fails to astound www.irishcentral.com/roots/hi...
Newgrange, World Heritage Ireland - www.worldheritageireland.ie/b...
Neolithic Europe, Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolith...
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