Astronomy There is a growing body of support for the theory that designs on the stones relate to the movements of the sun, moon and planets. This would be a way to keep track of the seasons and important community events. Kerbstones at Knowth in particular can be interpreted as recording lunar events and patterns. A full lunar cycle takes over 18 years, so Stone Age observers must have had ways to remember the phases of the moon.


l The passages at Knowth received the light of the rising and setting sun at the equinoxes, around the 21 March and 23 September. The spring and autumn were important seasons for planting and harvesting in a farming community.


l At Newgrange, the light of sunrise enters the chamber through the light box on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, around 21 December. This event may have celebrated the death of the old year and the beginning of the new. Other passage mounds also received the light of the sun or the moon at significant times and are the focus of ongoing research.


Our understanding of the Stone Age in Ireland continues to evolve. Following a period of drought in the summer of 2018, traces of large wooden structures were revealed between Newgrange and the River Boyne. Archaeologists have interpreted these as ritual sites that are later than Newgrange, but connected to it in some way they have not yet worked out.


Find out more about the recent archaeological discoveries at Newgrange by reading the article ‘Archaeological discoveries at the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site’ on www.worldheritageireland.ie.


Chapter Review


1. What range of tools did Stone Age people have and what did they use them for? Draw some tools and describe their use.


2. How do you think the Stone Age structures were built? Make annotated sketches and describe the methods you think they used.


3. Describe the range of designs used by Stone Age people. Do you think they were simply decoration or did they have meaning? Draw, annotate and describe some of the designs.


4. Based on your observations of Stone Age construction, art and design, do you think they were intelligent and resourceful people? Write an illustrated and annotated response to the question.


5. What do you think motivated Stone Age people to build such large structures? Use sketches to explain your points.


Furer Research


www.megalithicireland.com – Accounts of a number of megalithic monuments


www.archaeology.ie/nationalmonuments – Lists national monuments by county


www.sacred-destinations.com/ireland/ newgrange – A description of Newgrange


www.newgrange.com – A description of Newgrange and a video


www.knowth.com – A short description of Knowth


CHAPTER 20 THE STONE AGE (c. 4000–2000 BC)


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UNIT 7 PRE-CHRISTIAN IRELAND (c. 4000 BC–AD 500)


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