 The Bend of the Boyne is rich in prehistoric megalithic art, and is some times called the Royal Cemetery of Brugh Na Binne. The site contains a concentration of monuments with social, economic and funerary functions. The decorated stones at New Grange are one of the most important examples of mural megalithic art in Western Europe. For the most part the designs consist of incisions in stone that are linear geometrical figures such as zigzag lines, triangles, lozenges, concentric circles, swags, and spirals. The original idea concerning the history of the site was that the designs were inspired by Mycenean funerary art. The most popular design is one of a spiral and a circle/lozenge type configuration known as an oculi or goddess figure. The site is rich in European history, and is believed to predate the Celts. The megalithic art represented has many aspects that the Celts may have adopted.
The site as well as the surrounding areas is considered to be as big of a mystery as Stonehenge. It originates from about 3,000 BC, making the ensemble around 500 years older than the great pyramids in Egypt. The main purpose of the structures is believed to be that of a passage tomb. The passage is nineteen meters long, with the surrounding mounds about 80 meters in diameter. Inside, an opening in the roof of the passage (called a roof box) the sun is able to illuminate the central chamber at the winter solstice. The manmade architecture of the site has been built into the earth’s natural landscape on the eastern coast cliffs.
Many aspects of the Bend of the Boyne are still unknown. Preserving the Bend of the Boyne site is important because of the richness and current state of the megalithic art and man-altered landscape. The structures and stones are still very mysterious and should be preserved not only to be studied but also to be visited by future generations.
The site covers 780ha and contains around 40 passage tombs as well as other prehistoric sites and later features. The majority of the monuments are concentrated on the north side of the river. The most well-known sites within Brú na Bóinne are the impressive passage graves of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth all famous for their significant collections of megalithic art. Each stands on a ridge within the river bend and two of the tombs, Knowth and Newgrange appear to contain stones re-used from an earlier monument at the site. There is no in situ evidence for earlier activity at the site however save for the spotfinds of flint tools left by Mesolithic hunters.
other enclosure and megalith sites have been identified within the river bend and have been given simple letter designations such as the M Enclosures. In addition to the three famous tombs, several other ceremonial sites constitute the complex including:
Dowth Hall passage graves
Cloghalea Henge
Townleyhall passage grave
Monknewton henge and ritual pond
Newgrange cursus
Each of the three main megalith sites have significant archaeoastronomical significance. Newgrange and Dowth have Winter Solstice solar alignments, while it is claimed Knowth has an Equinox solar alignment. In addition, the immediate environs of the main sites have been investigated for other possible alignments. The layout and design of the Brú Na Bóinne complex across the valley has also been studdied for astronomical significance.
As well as being surrounded its southern, western and eastern sides by the Boyne, one of the Boyne's tributaries, the Mattock runs along the northern edge, almost completely surrounding Brú na Bóinne with water. All but two of the prehistoric sites are within this river isthmus. |
