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词条 Dowth
释义

  1. Description

  2. Astronomical alignment

  3. References

  4. External links

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}{{Use Irish English|date=October 2013}}{{refimprove|date=July 2016}}{{Infobox ancient site
|name = Dowth
|native_name =
|alternate_name =
|image = Dowth Passage Tomb.2.JPG
|alt =
|caption = Aerial view of Dowth
|map_type = Ireland
|map_alt =
|map_size =
|location = valley of the River Boyne
|region = County Meath, Ireland
|coordinates = {{coord|53.70365|-6.4502|display=inline}}
|type = passage grave
|part_of = Brú na Bóinne
|length =
|width =
|area =
|height =
|builder =
|material =
|built =
|abandoned =
|epochs = Neolithic
|cultures =
|dependency_of =
|occupants =
|event =
|excavations =
|archaeologists =
|condition =
|ownership =
|public_access =
|website =
|notes =
| designation1 = WHS
| designation1_partof = Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne
| designation1_date = 1993 (17th session)
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_criteria = i, iii, iv
| designation1_number = 659
| designation1_free1name =
| designation1_free1value = Ireland
| designation1_free2name = Region
| designation1_free2value = Europe and North America
| designation2 = National Monument of Ireland
| designation2_offname = Dowth Mound & Dowth Passage Tomb
| designation2_number = 410 & 652
}}Dowth ({{lang-ga|Dubhadh}}) is a Neolithic passage tomb located in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, Ireland. It is one of the three principal tombs of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site{{spaced ndash}}a landscape of prehistoric monuments including the large passage-tombs of Dowth, Newgrange and Knowth. Unlike Newgrange and Knowth, Dowth has not been independently dated, but its features align it with the other passage tombs which date from between approximately 3200 and 2900 BC.[1] However, Harbison (1970) dates the tomb at 2500{{spaced ndash}}2000 BC.[2] It is less developed as a tourist attraction than its neighbours, partly because the chamber is much lower, and partly because the decoration is less visible. It was partly excavated, in 1847 by the Royal Irish Academy who dynamited the roof causing the still visible crater,[3][4] though it was pillaged by Vikings and earlier looters long before that.{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}. Archaeological and geophysical field surveys of the entire site, including later monuments, were carried out episodically from 2012-2015.[5] In July 2018, another passage tomb in the grounds of nearby Dowth Hall was excavated, revealing significant examples of Neolithic rock art similar to those at Dowth and the other Brú na Bóinne sites.[6]

Description

The cairn or tumulus is about {{convert|85|m|ft|-1}} in diameter and {{convert|15|m|ft|-1}} high,[2] and surrounded by large kerbstones, some of which are decorated. Quartz was found fallen outside the kerbing, suggesting that the entrance to this tomb was surrounding by glittering white, as at Newgrange. Three stone-lined passages lead into the mound from the west. These are two passage tombs (known as Dowth North and Dowth South) and a souterrain.

The longest of the passages (Dowth North) is 18.2 metres in length and is crossed by 3 sill-stones and ends in a cruciform chamber[7] with a lintelled (not corbelled as in Newgrange or Knowth{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}) roof. Dowth South is 3.5 metres long and ends in a roughly circular chamber with a modern concrete roof (the original roof having collapsed).[7] In Dowth North, several of the orthostats (upright stones) of the passage and chamber are decorated with spirals, chevrons, lozenges and rayed circles. On the floor stands a single stone basin, 1.4m x 1m in size. The right-hand arm of the cross leads into another long rectangular chamber with an L-shaped extension entered over a low sill, sometimes referred to as 'the annex'.[8] This may be the earliest part of the tomb, later brought within the design of the cruciform tomb. This annex is floored with a 2.4 metre-long flagstone containing an oval bullaun (artificial depression). Until recently the cruciform tomb was reached by climbing down a ladder in an iron cage, and crawling about over loose stones. Now, access is restricted, and all the features are guarded by metal grilles.

A kerbstone with cup-marks, a spiral and a flower-like design marks the entrance to Dowth South. While the current roof is modern, it is possible the original one was corbelled, as at Newgrange.[8] This tomb has a few decorated stones, and a large right-hand recess.

The third entrance visible on the west side of Dowth is an early Christian souterrain.[2] It leads into the passage of Dowth North and was constructed around the 10th or 11th century CE.[1] The Annals of Ulster and the Annals of the Four Masters refer to Norsemen plundering the "cave‟ of Dowth around 862 CE; the "cave" in this description may refer to the souterrain.[9]

The mound originally had about 115 kerbstones surrounding it. Kerbstone 51, sometimes called the Stone of the Seven Suns, features a number of radial circular carvings[8], similar to those at Loughcrew.

The mound was extensively excavated in the 19th century, and the crater caused by digging appears not to have been filled in, leading to its being subsequently used for stone quarrying.[10]

Astronomical alignment

Dowth shares a special solar celebration with neighbouring Newgrange during the winter solstice. Martin Brennan, author of The Stars and the Stones: Ancient Art and Astronomy in Ireland - Thames and Hudson 1983,[11] discovered the remarkable alignment during the course of his ten-year study in the Boyne Valley. From November to February the rays of the evening sun reach into the passage and then the chamber of Dowth South. During the winter solstice the light of the low sun moves along the left side of the passage, then into the circular chamber, where three stones are lit up by the sun.[12]

The convex central stone reflects the sunlight in to a dark recess, lighting up the decorated stones there. The rays then recede slowly along the right side of the passage and after about two hours the sun withdraws from Dowth South.[12]

References

1. ^{{Cite journal|last=Fenwick|first=Joe|date=2015|title=A reassembly of the monumental fragments in Dowth townland and their significance as an integral part of the prehistoric numinous precince of Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath.|url=http://hdl.handle.net/10379/7311|journal=Journal of Irish Archaeology|volume=XXIV,|page=|pages=19-49.|via=https://aran.library.nuigalway.ie}}
2. ^{{cite book|title=Guide to the National Monuments of Ireland|last=Harbison|first=Peter|publisher=Gill & Macmillan|year=1970}}
3. ^[https://www.jstor.org/stable/25506098?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents The Tumulus of Dowth, County MeathM. J. O'Kelly, Claire O'Kelly, V. R. O'Sullivan and R. H. Frith]
4. ^[https://www.jstor.org/stable/40657903?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents JOURNAL ARTICLEIn Retrospect: The Royal Irish Academy's only archaeological excavation: Dowth in the Boyne ValleyPeter Harbison]
5. ^{{Cite journal|last=Fenwick|first=Joseph|date=2018|title=A reappraisal of the archaeological remains in the vicinity of the great passage tomb and manorial village of Dowth, Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath|url=http://hdl.handle.net/10379/7294|journal=Journal of Irish Archaeology|volume=XXVI|pages=2|via=}}
6. ^{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/5-500-year-old-passage-tomb-at-dowth-is-find-of-a-lifetime-1.3567118#.W038BKz5dxk.twitter|title=5,500-year-old passage tomb at Dowth is 'find of a lifetime'|last=Edwards|first=Elaine|date=2018-07-16|work=The Irish Times|access-date=17 July 2018}}
7. ^{{Cite web|url=https://www.knowth.com/dowth.htm|title=Dowth Megalithic Passage Tomb - Boyne Valley, Ireland|website=www.knowth.com|access-date=2018-06-25}}
8. ^{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldheritageireland.ie/bru-na-boinne/built-heritage/dowth/|title=Dowth {{!}} Built heritage {{!}} Brú na Bóinne {{!}} World Heritage {{!}} World Heritage Ireland|website=www.worldheritageireland.ie|language=en|access-date=2018-06-25}}
9. ^{{Cite journal|last=Fenwick|first=Joseph|date=2018|title=A reappraisal of the archaeological remains in the vicinity of the great passage tomb and manorial village of Dowth, Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath.|url=http://hdl.handle.net/10379/7294|journal=Journal of Irish Archaeology|volume=XXVI|pages=12|via=}}
10. ^{{Cite journal|authors=O'Kelly M. & O'Kelly C. |date=1983|title=The tumulus of Dowth, County Meath.|url=|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy|volume=83C|pages=135-90|via=}}
11. ^The Stars and the Stones was later re-published as The Stones of Time: Calendars, Sundials and Stone Chambers of Ancient Ireland, 1994. {{ISBN|978-0-8928-1509-8}}; {{ISBN|0-89281-509-4}}
12. ^{{Cite web|url=https://www.knowth.com/dowth-sunsets.htm|title=Dowth Winter Solstice Sunsets - Boyne Valley Ireland|website=www.knowth.com|access-date=2018-06-25}}

External links

{{Commons category}}
  • Official website
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20071012040152/http://www.meath.ie/Tourism/Heritage/Newgrange/ Meath Tourism Information on Dowth]
  • Brú na Bóinne in myth and folklore
{{World Heritage Sites in Ireland}}

6 : 4th-millennium BC architecture|Archaeological sites in County Meath|World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland|Prehistoric sites in Ireland|Tourist attractions in County Meath|Boyne culture

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