Overview:

Newgrange in Ireland is an ancient passage tomb located in the Boyne Valley, about 40 km north of Dublin. Built in 3200 BC, it is older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza. A major prehistoric archaeological site, it was enshrined as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Newgrange is a large circular mound with a single passageway to the centre, surrounded by 97 large stone kerbstones. The roof of the passageway is decorated with art, including spirals and zigzags. At the winter solstice, the sun shines down the corridor for a few minutes, illuminating the entire chamber. The tomb and the accompanying cemetery are believed to have been used as a burial place for chieftains and other important members of the community. Human remains found in the site suggest that it was also used for ritual activities. Newgrange is an important reminder of the sophisticated culture of the prehistoric people of Ireland. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Ireland
Prominent Features:

1. Neolithic Passage Tomb: Newgrange is a large prehistoric passage tomb, located in the Boyne Valley of County Meath in Ireland. Built around 3200 BCE by a mysterious people, Newgrange is a masterpiece of Neolithic art and engineering. 2. Ancient Megalithic Art: Newgrange features some of the oldest known megalithic art in Europe. The stone passageway is decorated with a variety of patterns, including spirals, circles, arcs, and other geometric designs. 3. Winter Solstice: The most spectacular feature of Newgrange is the alignment of the passage and three chambers to the winter solstice sunrise. At dawn, the shortest day of the year, the chamber is illuminated by the first rays of the sun, bathing the chamber in a magical light. 4. Durability: The stone structure of Newgrange is remarkably well-preserved considering its age. The drystone construction, as well as a layer of quartz covering the outside, has meant that the tomb has not suffered the ravages of time as much as similar monuments. 5. Archaeological Excavations: Archaeological excavations of the tomb in the 1960s revealed numerous artifacts, including tools, pottery, and carved beads, all of which offer an insight into the lives of the people who built and used the tomb. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Ireland.

History:

Newgrange is a 5,000-year-old passage tomb located in County Meath, Ireland. One of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe, it was constructed during the Neolithic period around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The builders of Newgrange aligned the passageway and chamber so that during the winter solstice, a shaft of sunlight penetrates a slit in the roof illuminating the chamber for 17 minutes. This sight is one of the most remarkable feats of Stone Age engineering and has earned Newgrange a reputation as a place of significant spiritual power. Newgrange was first mentioned in 1699 by William Petty, an Englishman in charge of mapping out Ireland for the English government. He wrote in his diary that locals believed the hill to be the entrance to an underground chamber that they called Brú na Bóinne, or the Palace of the Boyne. The first scientific excavation of Newgrange took place in 1962 under the direction of Professor M.J. O’Kelly, who revealed details of the burial chamber and other assorted neolithic art, including kerbstones at the entrance of the monument. Intensive excavations over the following decades revealed a wealth of evidence, ranging from human remains to pottery, metalwork, and numerous example of art, including carvings and engravings. Today, Newgrange has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a popular tourist attraction. Every December, visitors can observe the Winter Solstice sunrise at Newgrange, providing a brief glimpse into the secrets of this ancient monument. Visit one of the famous monuments of Ireland with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Newgrange is a Neolithic passage tomb located in the Boyne Valley in Ireland and is estimated to be over 5,000 years old. 2. A full Irish breakfast was cooked and served inside Newgrange to mark the winter solstice in 2012. 3. Newgrange is aligned to the setting sun at the winter solstice, and the inner chamber is filled with light for a period of 17 minutes. 4. Archaeologists believe that the tomb was used as a site of Astro-theological ceremonies. 5. The tomb is decorated with over 250 pieces of stone art, including shapes of spirals, zigzags, and sunbursts. 6. A large mass of quartz crystals was discovered at the entrance of the tomb in 2014. 7. The entrance of the mound is built within a semi-circular wall known as a ‘kerb’, which is made up of 97 large stones. 8. Every year on the winter solstice, hundreds of people gather at the entrance of the tomb to watch as the sun rises and casts its light on the monument. 9. The tomb was reconstructed in the 1960s after only pieces of the main structure remained. 10. Newgrange was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1993. One of the historical monuments of Ireland, it tells the story of a bygone era