Mysteries of Newgrange

Newgrange is an astounding example of a Neolithic passage tomb and is one of three such tombs found in the Brú na Bóinne region of County Meath, with the other two passage tombs being Knowth and Dowth. Research tends to focus most heavily on Newgrange due its preservation, highly debated reconstruction, rich history, and the varying myths and theories concerning its construction. In addition, this passage tomb is also aligned in such a manner that during the midwinter solstice, rays of light from the sun illuminate the entire chamber. “Newgrange is one of the finest examples, not only in Ireland, but in Western Europe, of what is known as a passage tomb,” and was likely erected near 3200BC making the structure older than the Pyramids of Giza. This paper will seek to delve into the general structure, history and myths, archaeology, and subsequent reconstruction of Newgrange.

When someone approaches Newgrange, the first thing that he will notice is the mound shape of the passage tomb and the captivating white quartz wall. The quartz wall is nearly 3 meters high, making it sharply contrast with the grassed over mound that the wall was built to contain. It should be noted that this wall is in fact a modern construction based off of Cork archaeologist, M.J. O’Kelly’s extensive research of the passage tomb. This is the subject of immense debate, which will be further addressed at a later point. 97 kerbstones, which are typically accepted as being a part of the original structure, also surround and support the mound. Although some of the kerbstones remain unexposed, the presence of all of them is quite remarkable. “None are missing and the only human intervention since their original placement has been to erect those that h...

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... sleds or by rolling the stones on logs. The mound itself is comprised primarily of looses stones and there are believed to be nearly two hundred thousand tonnes of these stones. As mentioned, there is a large amount of artwork present on many of the stones present at Newgrange as well, further adding to the complexity of this ancient location. In addition, the stones were arranged in such a manner, so as to ensure that the tomb would be eseentially waterproof. It is difficult to say how long this project might have taken to complete. “Twenty or thirty years are the published estimates. It was a project for more than one of the short-lived Neolithic generations. It means that the priest or king who first envisioned the tomb could not see it through to its completion and this individual would have had to impart that vision to at least one younger disciple.”