Knowth Complex, Co. Meath

Description

SMR No.: ME019-030001-

Monument Type: Megalithic tomb - passage tombs, souterrains

The passage tomb complex at Knowth (Ir. Cnóbha) is at the western end of Brú na Bóinne. The great mound of this most spectacular site is outlined by 127 massive kerbstones. Arranged around this are at least eighteen smaller or satellite tombs, at least two of which were built before the great mound. In 1967-8, Professor George Eogan and his team of archaeologists discovered two tombs within the large central mound, one of the features of which is the great wealth of decoration on the structural stones. The chamber in the eastern tomb contained three recesss with their stone basins to hold the remains of the dead. Grave goods discovered when the tomb was excavated included beads, pendants and a finely decorated macehead. Knowth contains many tremendous examples of Neolithic art. There are also standing stones and settings of exotic stones outside the entrances of the tombs. The excavations at Knowth uncovered intermittent burial on the site through the Bronze Age and the late Iron Age. Knowth was the centre of an early medieval kingdom and was converted into a highly defended residence from the seventh to the tenth century with a settlement built on top of the mound. As with Newgrange, Knowth was regarded as a síd, an entrance to the otherworld although this did not prevent the Vikings from attacking it in AD861.