NATS 1745 Study Guide - Newgrange, Archaeoastronomy, Winter Solstice

• School: York University
• Department: Natural Science
• Course: NATS 1745
• Professor: Robin Metcalfe

Document Summary

Archaeological evidence that motion of sun and stars helped to predict behaviour of the movement. Connection to the sun is the earliest sign. Path through the sky follows an easily recognizable cycle essential to survival and tracking time. Newgrange"s roofbox is aligned to the winter solstice sunrise. Photograph is not of original structure but a reconstruction of the ruins. Controversy of small details, but main features properly represented. A rock passageway which leads to a chamber with three rooms or alcoves. Bottom right = watercolour of rocks in centre, rock in middle has a bowl shape found in other rooms as well. Possibly used to hold ashes of important people. Above the entrance is a carefully constructed square hole sun rises on shortest day of the year, winter solstice . The alignment of the tomb likely reflects a belief in rebirth or reincarnation.