How old are the carrowkeel tombs?

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Carrowkeel is a cluster of passage tombs in south County Sligo, Ireland. They were built in the 4th millennium BC, during the Neolithic era.

What is unique about the passage grave at Newgrange?

Above the entrance to the passage at Newgrange there is a opening called a roof-box. This baffling orifice held a great surprise for those who unearthed it. Its purpose is to allow sunlight to penetrate the chamber on the shortest days of the year, around December 21st, the winter solstice.

Is Newgrange a passage grave?

Newgrange is the best known Irish passage tomb and dates to c. 3,200BC. The large mound is approximately 80m in diameter and is surrounded at its base by a kerb of 97 stones. The most impressive of these stones is the highly decorated Entrance Stone.

What did Newgrange roof-box reveal?

O’Kelly. This rediscovery led to the realization that the roof-box is in fact an open structure that is aligned with the winter solstice sun, and that the solstice sun annually penetrates the passageway illuminating the chamber of the tomb.

What is the religious significance of Newgrange?

Purpose of Newgrange There have been various debates as to its original purpose. Many archaeologists believed that the monument had religious significance of some sort or another, either as a place of worship for a “cult of the dead” or for an astronomically-based faith.

What was Newgrange passage tomb used for?

Although Newgrange was originally defined as a passage tomb, it has more recently been recognized as a monument whose purpose, although it included burial of the dead, was far more significant and universal.

Who was buried in Newgrange?

According to ancient mythology, the Tuatha Dé Danann ruled Ireland and were said to have built Newgrange as a burial place for their chief, Dagda Mór, and his three sons. One of his sons, named Aonghus, is often referred to as Aonghus of the Brugh.

When was Newgrange reconstructed?

1967-74: Works on repairing the mound and its surrounds began in earnest in 1967 and were not fully completed until 1974. This image shows the passageway being reconstructed and reinforced. Professor O’Kelly (second from the right) is pointing towards the roofbox (after Stout & Stout 2008, p.

Is Sligo rough?

Sligo is absolutely fine! Lovely town and perfectly safe.

What’s Sligo famous for?

Sligo is renowned for its seaweed baths at Enniscrone and Strandhill. Enjoying the benefits of a seaweed bath in Strandhill and Enniscrone.

Is the Carrowkeel passage tomb complex a passage tomb?

While The Carrowkeel Passage Tomb Complex is dramatically situated and encompasses a wide area, neither the 1911 fieldwork of Macalister nor the recent article by Hensey et al suggested that the site shared the rich folkloric traditions and mythological associations of the passage tombs on the west or east coasts of the country.

Where are the Neolithic passage-graves of Carrowkeel?

There are fourteen neolithic passage-graves in the townland of Carrowkeel, and several more monuments are found on the summits to the west. The highest monument is Kesh Cairn on the north end of the long flat summit of Kesh Mountain to the west.

How did Macalister date the Carrowkeel tombs?

After the 1911 excavation, Macalister confidently stated in his 1912 report that the Carrowkeel tombs dated from the Bronze Age. 10 He drew this conclusion mainly from his assessment of the pottery found during his excavation and its similarities with sherds found from other sites deemed to be Bronze Age.

Where are the old cottages around Carrowkeel?

There are many old empty cottages around Carrowkeel, some of which were inhabited until the 1960’s. There is a fine example of a mountain cottage below Carrowkeel and across from Doonaveeragh, where good examples of potato ‘lazy beds’ can still be seen.