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61
All
of the so-called "satellite sites", the passage-mounds
and standing stones in the vicinity of Newgrange, originally
had their own names, according to the Dindshenchas.
They included "The bed of Dagda", "the grave
of Bóinn the wife of Nechtain", "The Valley
of Mata" (the giant monster), and "the Mound of
Bones".
62
One
of the most unusual satellite sites located to the east of
Newgrange is a large U-shapes "cursus", a type of
monument believed to have served some grand ceremonial purpose.
In recent years archaeology has found that a "ceremonial
pathway" connected nearby passage-tombs to the cursus
structure.
63
A
survey of the whole area around Newgrange by Dr. Jon Patrick
revealed some very interesting points: Newgrange and sites
E, F and H are in a straight line. So also are Dowth and sites
F, D and C. Patrick indicated that Newgrange was the focus
of the groups of alignments which he found.
64
A
total of 19 stones belonging to satellite sites near Newgrange
contain decoration.
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Standing
Stone C and Newgrange
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65
There
are two standing
stones located east-south-east of Newgrange, marked sites
C and D on archaeological maps of the Bend of the Boyne.
66
A
small mound located half a mile northeast of Newgrange called
Site E has
a number of kerbstones showing above the ground.
67
A
substantially damaged
mound lies within half a mile to the east of Newgrange.
Part of an original kerb of stones is still extant at this
site.
68
A
mound in the field to the front of Newgrange was enclosed
by a substantial embanked feature. This feature is still visible,
although located in a tilled field where ploughing for agricultural
use has made the ring difficult to see.
69
It
is not known whether a figure-of-eight shaped pond feature
south of Newgrange was originally a quarry from which stones
were removed for its construction, or whether the unusual
feature was some kind of "ceremonial pond".
70
A
total of three satellite "passage-tombs" were excavated
during archaeological work at Newgrange - sites K
and L to the west and site Z to the east.
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