Knowth reveals its wonders to the public
Submitted by Andy B on Monday, 08 April 2002 Page Views: 1112
Neolithic and Bronze AgeCountry: Ireland (Republic of) County: Co. MeathInternal Links:
THE latest section of the important Knowth prehistoric site to be accessible to the public, was officially opened on the 4th April 2002 by Minister for the Environment Noel Dempsey.
The relic-rich site was first uncovered in 1962 by Professor George Eoghan, who decided to take a closer look at a few stones in an otherwise flat and uninteresting field at Knowth, Co Meath.
The excavation uncovered a passage tomb, and in the 40 years since then, the one-acre site close to the Newgrange passage grave has yielded an archaeological treasure trove.
As well as the two large passage tombs contained in the main mound which date between 3,500 BC and 2,500 BC, Knowth has also revealed itself as having been home even earlier to some of Ireland's first farmers, who lived there between 4,000 BC and 3,500 BC.
"It was they who initially opened up the surrounding landscape and laid the foundations for subsequent developments, explained Dr Eoghan yesterday.
"In fact the passage tomb phase was, over the following four millennia, succeeded by a further eight archaeological stages. This is an extraordinary cultural record and one that is unique for an Irish site," he added.
Three years ago yet another amazing treasure was found during excavations of the main mound.
"We have literally dug out of the soil an art gallery of 350 decorated stones. This is by far the greatest collection of megalithic art in all of Europe and it bypasses the megalithic art found in the Iberian Peninsula and Brittany.
"This highlights the sophistication of the Knowth passage tomb culture and is simply astonishing," said Professor Eoghan.
The symbolically decorated stones are in the chamber at the end of the eastern passage tomb, but for safety reasons, this area remains inaccessible to the public.
Conservation work on the entire site has been undertaken by Willie Cummings of Duchas and has ensured that the secrets of Knowth and our ancestors are there for all to enjoy in time to come.
While it appears that the excavations at Knowth have come to an end for now, there is a lifetime of work left in recording and interpreting the information behind over the last 6,000 years.
By Elaine Keogh
More: Irish Independent
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