Sunday, 10 May 2009
Newgrange, Ireland
Built around 3200 BC, the tomb at Newgrange lights up on the winter solstice. We were allowed to go into the tomb but they didn't allow any photography. Inside the tour guide did a light show to demonstrate what it looks like if there's sunshine on the winter solstice. Dave and I entered the lottery for a chance to be inside the tomb this December. They already had 35,000 entrants but I'm feeling lucky.
The retaining wall around the front was rebuilt using the white quartz and granite stones found scattered around the site during excavations in the 1960s.
The entrance with the site's most elaborately decorated kerbstone infront.
The retaining wall around the front was rebuilt using the white quartz and granite stones found scattered around the site during excavations in the 1960s.
The entrance with the site's most elaborately decorated kerbstone infront.
Knowth, Ireland
Knowth and Newgrange were my favorite part of the trip. Knowth has the greatest concentration of megalithic art in Europe. Most of the artwork is found on the kerbstones surrounding the tomb.
Knowth is the largest of all passage graves situated within the Brú na Bóinne complex. The site consists of one large mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs. Essentially Knowth is a large mound (covering roughly a hectare) and contains two passages, placed along an east-west line. The passages are independent of each other and each lead to a burial chamber. Because of the east-west orientation of the passages at Knowth, most believe it was built on an astronomical alignment with the spring and autumn equinoxes. That alignment doesn't occur today.
It might be sacrilegious but Knowth reminded me of the Smurf village!
This is a picture taken through a fence. The tomb is closed from entering in order to prevent further decay.
Knowth is the largest of all passage graves situated within the Brú na Bóinne complex. The site consists of one large mound and 17 smaller satellite tombs. Essentially Knowth is a large mound (covering roughly a hectare) and contains two passages, placed along an east-west line. The passages are independent of each other and each lead to a burial chamber. Because of the east-west orientation of the passages at Knowth, most believe it was built on an astronomical alignment with the spring and autumn equinoxes. That alignment doesn't occur today.
It might be sacrilegious but Knowth reminded me of the Smurf village!
This is a picture taken through a fence. The tomb is closed from entering in order to prevent further decay.
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