What is recorded here

Knowth in County Meath holds five separate stone settings clustered around Tomb 1C, Tomb 16 and Tomb 4. The largest frames the east and west entrances, while a small circle of low edge-set stones abuts kerbstone 126 near Tomb 16. Four stones beside that tomb mark an empty socket, perhaps once holding a post or standing stone. These ceremonies happened beside death itself, making the mound a stage as much as a grave.

Four areas with stone settings were established outside the kerb of Tomb 1C, the most elaborate being outside the entrances to the E and W tombs but another is just SE of the mound. Two small related areas are adjacent to Tomb 16, and a fifth setting is associated with Tomb 4. Just 2m NW of Tomb 16 and abutting kerbstone 126 of Tomb 1C is a setting of low stones (diam. 1.3m) set on edge although some of the stones are displaced, and the centre is paved with small stones. Just 2m SE of Tomb 16 and 0.7m out from kerbstone 2 of the great mound four stones on edge defined a small pit or socket. It is not known if the socket supported anything, but given that standing stones are associated with other stone settings it may have surrounded one, or even a wooden post. These features are not conserved. (Eogan and Cleary 2017, 243-46) True location: ITM (669639, 773482) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 21 September 2020

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