The Boyne Valley has been described as "the largest and most important expression of prehistoric megalithic art in Europe". These sites were built over 5000 years ago between 3800 and 3200 BC, built before both Stonehenge in England and the pyramids in Egypt. Neolithic communities built these sites over earlier sacred spots and it is suspected that they were used for burial tombs, sacred temples and astronomical observatories.
The 5000 year old megalithic tomb (a passage-tomb) at Newgrange is the most impressive. Every winter solstice, the sun climbs over the horizon and illuminates the inner chamber for 17 minutes. The tomb was built with 200,000 tons of material with the top surface of the roof stones grooved to keep the passage water proof.
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