Brú na Bóinne

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Art

The art is one of the most important features of the monuments in the Boyne Valley. Some of it is spectacular: wonderful combinations of spirals, lozenges, chevrons, triangles and arrangements of parallel lines and arcs. It occurs particularly on the structural stones of the tombs but also occurs on some artefacts. Knowth has about 45% of all the art known from Irish tombs and nearly 30% of all the megalithic art in Europe.

  • Knowth kerbstone (sundial like carving)
  • Knowth kerbstone 5 (spiral in centre with crescents)
  • Knowth kerbstone 86 (two crescent shapes on the base of stone)
  • Knowth kerbstone 84 (multiple concentric circles)
  • Tri-spiral carving at Newgrange
  • Newgrange kerbstone 67 (lozenges & spirals)
  • Newgrange Kerbstone 52
  • Newgrange entrance stone & roof box
  • Decorated roof slab in right recess of Newgrange chamber

Technique

Two main techniques were used in applying the art —  incision and picking or pocking. Incision involved the drawing of a pointed implement along the surface. Picking is the predominant technique and involved using a sharp point, probably one of flint or quartz, holding the implement like a chisel or punch and hammering out on the surface.

  • Raised sun symbol craving in Dowth South side chamber
  • Dowth kerbstone 51 with seven sun like carvings
  • Decorated orthostat in eastern chamber at Knowth
  • Decorated orthostat in western passage (a face like motif)
  • Decorated orthostat in western passage of Knowth
  • Lozenge motifs on orthostat in passage at Newgrange

Hidden art

The designs on many stones continue on surfaces now hidden. Excavation revealed that many stones are carved on their undersides and on the sides turned inwards to the cairns.  It may not always have been important for the whole design to be visible. Perhaps the art was to be seen by the spirits of the dead or by the deities. Perhaps the act of carving transformed the stone into something extraordinary and that once this had been done, it was no longer necessary for the art to be seen.  While many stones were carved before being put in position, we know that some stones were carved in situ (in their existing position) e.g. the entrance stone at Newgrange. We know this as the carving stops at the old ground level.

  • View of the passage of Newgrange from the chamber
  • Lozenge motifs on orthostat in passage at Newgrange

Interpretation

Whatever the significance of the art to the builders of the monuments, we can no longer interpret it. No matter how we try to analyse or make sense of the art, we cannot see it as our ancestors saw it 5000 years  ago.  

Theories

Visitors to the sites over many years have favourite theories. Many people suggest that some of the spiral and concentric circles represent the movement of the sun and stars, a fascination with the changing seasons and how the cycles related to their own lives. Another theory is that the carvings on the stones are maps: maps of the area, maps of the otherworld, maps of the stars. Many think that the art represents images seen by shamans using hallucinogenic drugs during rituals. Other suggestions include the notion that the carved stones were used as meditation devices or that they represent music or energy lines.  

For more information, please read the Art in the Tombs information sheet in the Educational Resources section.