Close up view of the spiral designs on the entrance stone to the Newgrange passage grave in Meath Ireland


A close up of the entrance stone at the Newgrange Passage Grave in County Meath Ireland The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC The outer kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones many of which are decorated with megalithic art The 19 meter long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof The passage and chamber of Newgrange are illuminated at the winter solstice sunrise 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 from the 19th to the 23rd of December Newgrange is easily Ireland s most important ancient monument


Size: 3601px × 5391px
Location: newgrange county meath ireland
Photo credit: © culliganphoto / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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