Brú na Bóinne

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brú na Bóinne (English: Palace of the Boyne) is an internationally important complex of Neolithic chamber tombs, standing stones, henges and other prehistoric enclosures located in a wide meander of the River Boyne in Ireland. Later, it was used for Iron Age burials. The Normans settled the area in the Middle Ages and in 1690 it was the site of the famous Battle of the Boyne. The site is often referred to as the "Bend of the Boyne", and this is often (incorrectly) taken to be a translation of Brú na Bóinne. It is a World Heritage Site, containing what have been described as the national monuments of Ireland.

The site covers 780ha and contains around 40 passage tombs as well as other prehistoric sites and later features. The majority of the monuments are concentrated on the north side of the river. The most well-known sites within Brú na Bóinne are the impressive passage graves of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth all famous for their significant collections of megalithic art. Each stands on a ridge within the river bend and two of the tombs, Knowth and Newgrange appear to contain stones re-used from an earlier monument at the site. There is no in situ evidence for earlier activity at the site however save for the spotfinds of flint tools left by Mesolithic hunters.

Numerous other enclosure and megalith sites have been identified within the river bend and have been given simple letter designations such as the M Enclosures. In addition to the three famous tombs, several other ceremonial sites constitute the complex including:

• Dowth Hall passage graves
• Cloghalea Henge
• Townleyhall passage grave
• Monknewtown henge and ritual pond
• Newgrange cursus

Each of the three main megalith sites have significant archaeoastronomical significance. Newgrange and Dowth have Winter Solstice solar alignments, while it is claimed Knowth has an Equinox solar alignment. In addition, the immediate environs of the main sites have been investigated for other possible alignments. The layout and design of the Brú Na Bóinne complex across the valley has also been studied for astronomical significance.

As well as being surrounded its southern, western and eastern sides by the Boyne, one of the Boyne's tributaries, the Mattock runs along the northern edge, almost completely surrounding Brú na Bóinne with water. All but two of the prehistoric sites are within this river isthmus.

[edit] Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

All access to Newgrange and Knowth is by guided tour only: tours begin at the Visitor Centre in Donore, Co. Meath.

[edit] Source

Lewis-Williams, D and Pearce, D, Inside the Neolithic Mind, Thames and Hudson, London, 2005, ISBN 0500051380

[edit] External links

• UNESCO's World Heritage Site description
• International Institute of Astroarchaeology
• Boyne Valley Portal Website

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