 Knowth
Created by: * Flidais Niafer, 2007-03-21 13:24:51
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The so-called "Great Mound" of the Boyne complex was probably built after Newgrange but before Dowth. It is about the same size as Newgrange, with 18 smaller mounds scattered around it. There are two passageways leading inside from opposite sides. From the west, the passageway is 34 meters long, and from the east 50 meters long, ending in a cross-shaped chamber.
What makes Knowth unique is that, unlike Newgrange and Dowth, people actually lived on this mound. It was more or less continuously occupied for a period of 6,000 years. Originally it was a spiritual center, then it became home to several kings of North Brega, branches of the powerful O'Neill tribe, who lived on top of the main mound. With the coming of Christianity to the Boyne Valley, rectangular houses with stone foundations were added to Knowth as well as underground passages called souterrains used for storage and for safe hiding places from Viking raiders. By the time the Normans arrived at Knowth in 1175, most of the surrounding land was owned by the Cistercian monks, who were given 40,000 acres from O'Rourke after he defeated the O'Neills. The Normans, perhaps unaware that they were on an ancient sacred mound, did recognize the strategically advantageous position of the hill and proceeded to build a stone and mortar fort. They didn't stay long, however, and moved on about a year later. After that, Knowth was more or abandoned, with only a handful of stone houses built there in the 16th and 17th centuries.
This is an engraved kerbstone at Knowth, possibly a sundial or lunar calendar. (drawing by Martin Brennan superimposed using PhotoShop by Martin Byrne)
The Mound (- posts)
