Newgrange Overview

Overview

This lecture covers Newgrange, a major Neolithic passage tomb in Ireland, focusing on its structure, construction, function, art, and archaeological significance.

Introduction to Newgrange

• Newgrange is a Neolithic passage grave located in the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath, Ireland.
• It was built around 3200 BC, making it older than the Pyramids of Egypt or Stonehenge.
• Newgrange is the largest megalithic tomb in Ireland and is part of a complex with Knowth and Dowth.

Function and Purpose

• Built as a tomb to hold cremated human remains; remains of 5 individuals found.
• The inner chamber is illuminated by sunrise during the Winter Solstice via a "Roofbox" for up to 17 minutes.
• Possible purposes include sun worship or honoring the dead; shows advanced knowledge of astronomy and engineering.

Structure and Features

• The mound is about 11 meters high and 80 meters in diameter, weighing about 200,000 tonnes.
• Surrounded by 97 large kerbstones and a ring of standing stones.
• Passage is 19 meters long, lined with upright stones called orthostats (21 right, 22 left).
• The Roofbox above the entrance allows sunlight to reach the chamber at the solstice.
• The chamber has a cruciform (cross-shaped) plan with three recesses, each containing a basin stone for remains.
• The corbelled vault roof is constructed by stacking stones to narrow upwards, ending with a capstone.

Construction Methods

• Stones were sourced from various distant locations (Clogherhead, Dundalk Bay, Wicklow Mountains).
• Transportation likely used ships, logrolling, scaffolding, and earthen ramps to move and position stones.
• The white quartz facade was added during 1960s-70s restoration, not by Neolithic builders.

Artistic Decoration

• Newgrange is notable for Neolithic art, especially carvings of circles, spirals, arcs, chevrons, and lozenges.
• The most elaborate carvings are on Kerbstones 1 (entrance) and 52 (back of mound).
• Kerbstone 1 features a large triple spiral and other motifs; Kerbstone 52 uses the natural stone features in its design.

Carving Techniques

• Designs created by pick dressing (using flint to chip out the design, then smoothing) and incision (scratching shallow designs).
• Most motifs are deeply carved; some are more shallow depending on technique used.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Passage Grave — A tomb with a narrow passage leading to a burial chamber.
• Kerbstones — Large stones that form a boundary around the mound’s base.
• Orthostats — Upright stones forming the passage walls.
• Roofbox — Rectangular opening above the passage entrance to let sunlight in.
• Corbelled Vault — Roofing technique where stones are stacked to gradually narrow and close with a capstone.
• Basin Stone — Stone receptacles in the chamber holding cremated remains.
• Pick Dressing — Carving method involving chipping out stone with a pointed tool.
• Incision — Carving method involving scratching the surface for shallow designs.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review images and diagrams of Newgrange's structure and art.
• Take an online quiz to test knowledge of Newgrange.
• Revisit Kerbstone motifs for identifying different Neolithic art styles.