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Archaeologists have just discovered the carcasses of several ancient boats in Ireland’s River Boyne. Their proximity to the archaeological site of Newgrange (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) could tell us more about how this imposing monument to Irish prehistory was built…
This would be a very exciting development for researchers: while it’s still a mystery how Newgrange was built, the discovery of these boats not far from the site would be a real eye-opener.
The boats discovered are currently lying at the bottom of the River Boyne. Numerous rocks would surround them at the same time. A context that allows us to make a guess: were these rocks intended to help build Newgrange?
For the time being, researchers remain cautious.
Dr Stephen Davis, Director of Research at the UCD School of Archaeology, said:
We discovered several shapes within the Boyne River, resembling boats and boulders. It is still difficult to identify them with any certainty… These objects may or may not be archaeological, but they are still atypical. These shapes are out of the ordinary, and further analysis is more than necessary. We think we’ve spotted 10 wooden boats and 16 rocks destined for the construction of Newgrange. Logically, these rocks could have been accidentally lost during the construction phase.
Nevertheless, researchers are cautious: it seems unlikely that these boats could have transported such heavy rocks. Nevertheless, the presence of these boats and the boulders lying at the bottom of the river are additional clues that may lead us to further explanations.
Perhaps these boats were used to move the stone blocks in conjunction with another system? For the moment, the mystery remains…
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