Definition: The Boyne Valley in Ireland, called 'Bru na Bóinne' in Gaelic, is an important region in Europe. Settlement of the Bru na Bóinne began about 4000 BC, and small villages were located at the sites of Townley Hall and Knowth. Residential structures were circular houses built from posts and roofed with thatch or skin.
Nine cultural phases are known in the Bru na Bóinne, but it is best known for the passage tombs of the Neolithic period. There are 40 passage tombs in the valley, with clusters at sites such as Knowth, Dowth, Ballincrad, and Newgrange. Some of the tombs are astronomical wonders with an interior sundial engraving, and the passage are aligned such that on the winter solstice, the sun pierces the dark chamber and lights the engraving.
The valley contains important occupations dated to the Beaker folk (2200-1900 BC) at Monknewtown, the Iron Age (aD 100-300) at Knowth and Newgrange, early Christian period (AD 800-1100) at Newgrange and Dowth, and Norman (1150-1300) at Mellifont.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
Nine cultural phases are known in the Bru na Bóinne, but it is best known for the passage tombs of the Neolithic period. There are 40 passage tombs in the valley, with clusters at sites such as Knowth, Dowth, Ballincrad, and Newgrange. Some of the tombs are astronomical wonders with an interior sundial engraving, and the passage are aligned such that on the winter solstice, the sun pierces the dark chamber and lights the engraving.
The valley contains important occupations dated to the Beaker folk (2200-1900 BC) at Monknewtown, the Iron Age (aD 100-300) at Knowth and Newgrange, early Christian period (AD 800-1100) at Newgrange and Dowth, and Norman (1150-1300) at Mellifont.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
Also Known As: Brugh na Bóinne
Alternate Spellings: Brú na Bóinne
