Dowth (Irish: Dubhadh) is a Neolithic passage tomb which stands in the Boyne Valley, Co Meath, Ireland. It is found at 53°42′10.5″N, 6°26′57″W. Skellig Michael Skellig Michael (from Sceilig Mhichil in the Irish language, meaning Michaels rock), also known as Great Skellig, is a steep rocky island about 15 kilometres west off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland. ... The Giants Causeway is an area of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns resulting from a volcanic eruption. ... An array of Neolithic artifacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools Excavated dwellings at Skara Brae Scotland, Europes most complete Neolithic village. ... A passage tomb near the town of Sligo in Ireland A Passage grave (sometimes hyphenated) or Passage tomb is a tomb, usually dating to the Neolithic, where the burial chamber is reached along a distinct, and usually low, passage. ... The Boyne is a river in Leinster, Ireland, which course is about 70 mi (112 km) long. ... Meath (An Mhí in Irish) is a county in the Republic of Ireland, the county is often informally called The Royal County. ...

It is the oldest of the three principal tombs of the Brú na Bóinne ("mansion on the Boyne") complex of passage-tombs (the others being Newgrange and Knowth). It is less developed as a tourist attraction than its neighbours, partly because the chamber is much lower, and partly because the decoration is poorer. It was partly excavated in 1847 though it had been pillaged (by Vikings and earlier looters) long before that. Aerial view of valley Brú na Bóinne (English: Palace on the Boyne) is an internationally important complex of Neolithic chamber tombs, standing stones, henges and other prehistoric enclosures located in a wide meander of the River Boyne in Ireland. ... Newgrange, located at , , is one of the passage tombs of the Brú na Bóinne complex in County Meath, is the most famous of all Irish prehistoric sites. ... Knowth, located at , , is the site of a neolithic passage grave, one of the ancient monuments of the Brú na Bóinne complex in the valley of the River Boyne in Ireland. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The name Viking is a loan from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse seafaring warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, Europe and the British Isles from the late 8th century to the 11th century, the period of European history referred to as the Viking Age. ...

The cairn or tumulus is about 90 metres in diameter and 15 metres high, and surrounded by kerbstones, some of which are decorated. Quartz was found fallen outside the kerbing, showing 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. One of many cairns marking British mass graves at the site of the Battle of Isandlwana. ... Burial of Oleg of Novgorod in a tumulus in 912. ... Quartz is one of the most common minerals in the Earths continental crust. ...

The long passage is crossed by 3 sill-stones and ends in a cruciform (cross-shaped) chamber with a lintelled (not corbelled as in Newgrange or Knowth) roof. Several of the orthostats (upright stones) of passage and chamber are decorated with spirals, chevrons, lozenges and rayed circles. On the floor stands a single stone basin - somewhat the worse for wear after 5,000 years. The right-hand arm of the cross leads into another long rectangular chamber with an L-shaped extension entered over a low sill. This may be the earliest part of the tomb, later brought within the design of the cruciform tomb. It 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. An orthostat is a large stone set upright. ...

A kerbstone with cup-marks, a spiral and a flower-like design marks the entrance to the second, smaller tomb - with modern concrete roof. This tomb has a few decorated stones, and a single, massive right-hand recess.

At the entrance to the passage of the cruciform tomb is an early medieval souterrain. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Souterrain is a name given by archaeologists to a type of underground structure associated with the Atlantic Iron Age. ...

Access to the Dowth site is unrestricted. Access to the southern chamber of Dowth is limited; visitors must request a key from the management of the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre and leave a deposit. There is no public access to the northern passage and chamber or souterrains. Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre The Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre is the starting point for all visits to the monuments of Newgrange and Knowth. ...

External links

• Meath Tourism Website including Information on Dowth, Newgrange and Knowth

• Dowth Information and Images
• Boyne Valley Portal Website including information on Dowth