Newgrange

This post will be culture related - mainly to Irish culture. Newgrange is Ireland's most famous monument and I find it just as fascinating as many others out there probably do. I first found out about Newgrange when I had to study the Irish culture for my PC2. Some of the facts about this prehistoric monument absolutely blew me away. 

To start off, Newgrange was built over 5,000 years ago (about 3200 BC) by a neolithic farming community in the Boyne Valley, making it older than Stonehenge in England and the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Newgrange was bulit during the Neolithic or New Stone Age and it is classified as a passage tomb. The original Irish name for Newgrange is Brú na Bóinne, meaning 'mansion by the Boyne'. Newgrange is thought to be of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much as today's cathedrals.

Newgrange is a large kidney shaped mound covering an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones. The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. (For source click here)

But the most famous feature of Newgrange is the small opening or 'roof box' situated above the passage entrance. Its purpose is to allow the sunlight to penetrate the chamber on the shortest days of the year, around December 21st, the winter solstice. A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn on the winter solstice.


Here are some breathtaking pictures from the Winter solstice 2013:

 































The way the golden rays of sunshine fill the chamber is just absolutely stunning. This whole event seems so peaceful and unique in its own way. If I am so fascinanted by only looking at these pictures, what would I be if I actually expirienced it myself? I guess I will have to visit Newgrange soon! 

                               Interesting video for you guys to watch :)