Newgrange: Archaeology, Art and Legend

by Michael J. O'Kelly

This product is great. It has numerous features."}. Now, please generate the paraphrased product description for the given product information. {"description": "Renowned expert Professor O'Kelly reveals that this extraordinary megalithic tomb, Ireland's premier national monument, was constructed around 3200 BC by skilled Neolithic farmers. These builders, adept in engineering, architecture, art, and astronomy, not only created a structure enduring through millennia but also aligned it to allow sunlight to pierce a specific opening annually on the winter solstice, illuminating the inner passage and chamber. The book details every phase of the site's excavation, interpretation, and restoration, featuring significant contributions from Claire O'Kelly, who collaborated with her husband throughout the project at Newgrange.

Genres: Archaeology, Nonfiction, History, Irish Literature

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1983

Reviews

[Mesoscope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This excellent book provides a lavishly-illustrated and thorough account of the Neolithic Newgrange passage grave in Meath County, presented by the archaeologist responsible for its extensive excavation and controversial restoration between approximately 1961-75. The work is a bit out-of-date due to its age. Many specialists today would contest O'Kelly's "restoration" of the dramatic retaining wall on the Boyne-facing side of the site. Nonetheless, this book gives an extremely thorough accounting of the contents of the site as a whole, the condition of the find when it was excavated, and what little we know or may surmise about its construction, and the people who built it. This is a very worthy read for anyone interested in the site.

[BRT · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing more amazing than a 5000 year old, (older than Stonehenge & the pyramids of Egypt,) passage tomb surviving to the present day in a relatively original state is the meticulous, loving, and scrupulous care with which the archaeologists and Ireland's Office of Public Works investigated and restored the tomb to a pristine condition. This book sets forth in detailed scientific but understandable terms, with copious pictures & diagrams, the history of the tomb and it's restoration. My husband and I were privileged to have gained entry to the tomb last year. The experience left me awestruck. Then I read this book and realized how much more incredible our experience was.

[Logophile (Heather) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great collection of photos and an account from the archaeologist who was responsible for the recording and restoration of Newgrange.