Definition: The site known as Newgrange is one of several megalithic passage tomb clusters in the Bru na Bóinne valley (or Boyne Valley) of Ireland in the United Kingdom. Newgrange consists of a cluster of four tombs, and the largest and most important covers nearly an acre of ground. The interior passage of this building is 63 feet long and it leads to an interior cruciform (cross-shaped) room with a 20 foot high corbeled ceiling.
The large structures seen at Newgrange were built around 3200 BC, by Neolithic farmers. Other important occupations at Newgrange include a Beaker occupation (ca 2200-1900 BC), an Iron Age burial (ca AD 100-300), and a 'ringfort' dated to the early Christian period.
Newgrange, like the other Boyne valley megalithic structures Knowth and Dowth, is an astronomical observatory, in that the long passageway of the largest structure was built to capture sunrise at the winter solstice. From December 19th through 23rd each year, Newgrange's passageway and inner chamber are lit up by the morning sun's rays. This remarkable view is so popular that the Irish government has created a lottery so everyone has an equal chance to see it.
The large structures seen at Newgrange were built around 3200 BC, by Neolithic farmers. Other important occupations at Newgrange include a Beaker occupation (ca 2200-1900 BC), an Iron Age burial (ca AD 100-300), and a 'ringfort' dated to the early Christian period.
Newgrange, like the other Boyne valley megalithic structures Knowth and Dowth, is an astronomical observatory, in that the long passageway of the largest structure was built to capture sunrise at the winter solstice. From December 19th through 23rd each year, Newgrange's passageway and inner chamber are lit up by the morning sun's rays. This remarkable view is so popular that the Irish government has created a lottery so everyone has an equal chance to see it.
Sources
There are more ancient observatories to read about.
An excellent source for more information about all the Boyne valley sites is Knowth.com.
Eogan, George. 1996. Boyne Valley. pp 94-96 in Brian Fagan (ed). 1996. The Oxford Companion to Archaeology. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
