Newgrange, Neolithic passage tomb in Boyne Valley, Ireland
Newgrange is a Neolithic passage tomb in the Boyne Valley, Ireland, consisting of a large mound with an inner chamber. The circular grass-covered stone structure measures roughly 85 meters across and contains a 19-meter corridor leading to a cruciform burial chamber inside.
The structure was built around 3200 BC by Stone Age farming communities and predates the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge by several centuries. Over time the site fell into obscurity and was only rediscovered in the 17th century, with major restoration work undertaken during the 1960s and 1970s.
During winter solstice, sunlight enters through a specially designed roof box and illuminates the central chamber for about 17 minutes at sunrise. This astronomical event draws visitors each year who come to witness the ancient interplay of architecture and celestial movement.
Access is only possible with guided tours departing from the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, and advance booking is recommended during busy periods. The interior passage is low and narrow, so visitors should be prepared for the physical demands involved.
The entrance stone and 96 additional kerbstones surrounding the mound feature intricate geometric carvings from the Neolithic period. These patterns of spirals, lozenges, and circles represent some of the oldest surviving artworks in Ireland and their precise meaning remains a subject of debate today.
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