See Stone Age buildings light up during the Winter Solstice

County Meath's Bru na Boinne visitor centre is the starting place for many people looking to explore the ancient Newgrange site.

Drivers can stop off at the tourist outlet to book tours of the famous construction that predates many of the world's historical attractions. Motor insurance customers are advised to get prepared ahead of their trip so you can safely and legally reach the well-visited location, which draws hundreds of thousands interested people each year. Stone Age builders completed the construction of Newgrange ahead of other significant cultural sites, such as some of Egypt's pyramids and England's Stone Henge.

The dome-like structure in Ireland has been allocated as a World Heritage Site due to its impact on the historical monument scene. Hundreds of workers are believed to have spent decades building the complex some 5000 years ago. They managed to pull nearly one hundred large kerbstones to form a kidney-shaped outer wall that encompasses one acre of land. Topping this is a curved roof that climbs to six metres in height.

Historians have described the massive structure as a passage tomb, as it contains many elements in common with these Stone Age buildings. Often containing a central cruciform chamber linked to the outside by a narrow corridor, the constructions are believed to have played a large part in the burial ceremonies of people living in this era. Upon the accidental discovery of Newgrange in more recent times, human DNA was found in its inner chamber, further providing evidence that ancient rites were carried out in the site.

Although the building shares features with passage tombs, such as its 19-metre stone-laden corridor leading to the central area, experts have voiced their opinions that it could have provided the community at the time with more than a grave site. Evidence of this is drawn from the effect that the Winter Solstice sun has on the tomb area. Ancient constructors have arranged the stonework around Newgrange's entrance so sunlight on this day is beamed through carefully placed holes and lights up the cruciform burial location.

This spectacular event sees a large influx of visitors wishing to view it on the shortest day of the year. In order to cope with demand, the attraction's managers have set up a ticket lottery system so there is an opportunity to gain guaranteed access to the construction. For those not lucky enough to be randomly allocated tickets, there is a light show organised that faithfully shows how Newgrange is internally lit-up at this time of year.

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About the Author:
Rochelle Martinez, Freelance Web Content Article Writer for three years. Some of her articles are about http://www.quinn-direct.com.

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Author: Rochelle Martinez

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