Knowth Kerbstone K38

Knowth Kerbstone K38

The stone is greywacke, a type of sandstone composed of tightly cemented mineral grains and rock fragments. Most of the designs were made by tapping the stone with a rounded tool, creating shallow carvings. Near the lower left are two very small, carefully made circles. Just to the right of these are two light zigzag lines, divided by a straight horizontal line and enclosed within a many sided shape.

Above this is a short spiral with two turns. On the right side of the stone, zigzag lines are arranged into diamond shapes, along with three small curved or circular marks. One feature stands out from the rest. A double spiral turning to the left is cut much more deeply into the stone. It does not cut across the other designs, but it was probably added later.

Aerial view of Knowth passage tomb and smaller satellite tombs

Knowth Stone Age Passage Tomb

The large mound is estimated to date to around 3200 BCE, placing it in the Late Neolithic period. The passages are independent of each other, in that they lead to separate burial chambers. The eastern passage arrives at cruciform chamber, similar to Newgrange. It contains three recesses and basin stones into which the cremated remains of the dead were placed. The right-hand recess is larger and more elaborately decorated with megalithic art than the others, which is typical for Irish passage graves of this type. The western passage ends in an undifferentiated chamber (not have a definite chamber but rather a widening of the passage that defines the chamber). This chamber is separated from the passage by a sillstone. The chamber seems to have also contained a basin stone. This was later removed and is now located about two-thirds down the passageway.