Newgrange Temple

October 04, 2017

NewGrange

IMG_2867

Photographer: Jim Bucko 
Summary Author: Jim Bucko 

Featured above are two photos showing the Newgrange tomb or temple in the Boyne Valley of Ireland. It dates back to approximately 3200 BC. The mound is 280 ft (86 m) in diameter, about 44 ft (13.5 m) high and is encircled by 97 kerbstones. A 62 ft (19 m) long passage, leading to a cruciform chamber (3 alcoves), is illuminated by the Sun at dawn on the winter solstice. Additionally, there's an entrance stone at the opening of the passage bearing petroglyphs (bottom photo). Some of the stones on the lower wall have petroglyphs as well. Note that it's not known what these symbols mean.

There are several similarities here to the temples I saw when I visited the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo earlier this year. Not only are some of the architectural features similar, like the passage and cruciform chamber, many of the petroglyph designs are similar, particularly the spirals and circles.

Photo Details: Top - Camera Model: Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS; Focal Length: 6.2mm; Aperture: ƒ/8.0; Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125); ISO equiv: 80. Bottom - same except: Aperture: ƒ/2.8; Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250).