Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne
Newgrange, Ireland
29.03.2013
Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble Bend of the Boyne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Newgrange, Ireland. It is a complex of prehistoric megalithic monuments that date back to the Neolithic period, around 3200 BC. The site consists of three main tombs, Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth, which are surrounded by smaller satellite tombs and standing stones. The name Brú na Bóinne translates to "Palace of the Boyne" and refers to the nearby Boyne River that flows through the area.
The most famous structure at Brú na Bóinne is Newgrange, a large circular mound that covers a passage tomb. It is estimated that the tomb was constructed over 5,000 years ago and was used as a burial site for important individuals in the community. What sets Newgrange apart from other passage tombs in Europe is its elaborate interior. The passage and chamber are adorned with intricate carvings and stone art, including the famous triple spiral design.
Another important structure at Brú na Bóinne is Knowth, which is the largest passage tomb in the complex. Like Newgrange, it also features intricate carvings and stone art on its interior walls. However, Knowth is unique in that it has two passages instead of one, and it is thought to have been used for both burial and ritual purposes.
The third main tomb at Brú na Bóinne is Dowth, which is the smallest of the three. It is estimated that Dowth was constructed around the same time as Newgrange and Knowth, but unlike the other two tombs, it has not been extensively excavated or restored. This makes it a fascinating site for archaeologists to study and uncover more about the people who built these impressive structures.
Aside from the main tombs, Brú na Bóinne also has numerous satellite tombs and standing stones scattered throughout the area. These structures were likely used for various purposes, such as marking important astronomical events or rituals.
The significance of Brú na Bóinne lies not only in its impressive prehistoric structures but also in its importance as a cultural and spiritual site for the people of Ireland. The intricate carvings and designs found within the tombs give insight into the beliefs and practices of the Neolithic people who built them.
Today, Brú na Bóinne is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to marvel at these ancient structures and learn about their fascinating history.
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The three main prehistoric sites of the Brú na Bóinne Complex, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, are situated on the north bank of the River Boyne 50 km north of Dublin. This is Europe's largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art. The monuments there had social, economic, religious and funerary functions.
Brú na Bóinne (Irish: [ˈbˠɾˠuː n̪ˠə ˈbˠoːn̠ʲə], "mansion or palace of the Boyne"), also called the Boyne Valley tombs, is an ancient monument complex and ritual landscape in County Meath, Ireland, located in a bend of the River Boyne. It is one of the world's most important Neolithic landscapes, comprising at least ninety monuments including passage tombs, burial mounds, standing stones and enclosures. The site is dominated by the passage tombs of Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú), Knowth (Cnogbha) and Dowth (Dubhadh), built during the 32nd century BC. Together these have the largest assemblage of megalithic art in Europe. The associated archaeological culture is called the "Boyne culture".
Brú na Bóinne is also an important archaeoastronomical site; several of the passage tombs are aligned with the winter solstice and equinoxes. The area continued to be a site of ritual and ceremonial activity in the later Bronze Age and Iron Age. In Irish mythology, the tombs are said to be portals to the Otherworld and dwellings of the deities, particularly The Dagda and his son Aengus. They began to be studied by antiquarians in the 18th century, and archaeological excavations began in the 20th century, when some of the passage tombs underwent restoration.
Since 1993, the site has been a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO as "Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne".
