Winter Solstice at Newgrange Ancient Passage Tomb

Newgrange and Knowth Neolithic passage tombs are both designated UNESCO World Heritage sites that stand as testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors. Dating back over 5,000 years these Neolithic passage tombs are older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Newgrange which was built around 3,200 BC is aligned with the winter solstice about the 21st December, the shortest day of the year . At dawn, from December 19th to 23rd, a narrow beam of light penetrates the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the passage. As the sun rises higher, the beam widens within the chamber so that the whole room becomes dramatically illuminated. This event lasts for 17 minutes, beginning around 9am.This spectacle demonstrates the extraordinary precision with which the tomb was constructed, highlighting the deep reverence the ancient people held for celestial cycles and the changing seasons.

Image: Newgrange courtesy of Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre https://www.newgrange.com/index.htm