Mythical Ireland Podcast 20: Pig Feasting at Newgrange in the Late Neolithic
I have just published a brand new podcast - episode #20 - for Mythical Ireland patrons at the Bronze Age level and above.
In this new podcast, I talk about exciting new revelations about 'pig feasting' activity at the great Newgrange monument in the Late Neolithic.
A team of scientists from Ireland, the UK and Canada has revealed that a preponderance of pig bones found during 20th century excavations at Newgrange probably relate to large gatherings of people at the front of the monument centuries after it was constructed for 'pig feasting' and related celebratory activities around the time of winter solstice.
The scientists, who include archaeologists, examined zooarchaeological, radiocarbon and isotopic evidence to provide us with fascinating new insights into what might have been taking place at Newgrange at solstice around 600 to 750 years after it was built.
The fact that gatherings continued outside Newgrange even after the tomb's interior had been sealed up demonstrates that the monument continued to be a focal point for midwinter rituals, possibly by descendants of the original builders.
The science involved in the new study shows that the pigs slaughtered at Newgrange in large numbers were most likely fed on 'mast' - probably acorns from oak forests - and that those oak forests may not have been located close to the Brú na Bóinne monuments.
The findings appear to be echoed in medieval Irish texts, which place a huge emphasis on the feeding of pigs on 'mast' (acorns, etc).
This new podcast is 1 hour and 18 minutes long. Listen in as I digest the fascinating new information gleaned from the study.
If you enjoy this podcast, perhaps you might encourage your friends and family, or those who you think might be interested in the subject matter, to sign up as Bronze Age patrons of Mythical Ireland.
If you do not wish to subscribe to the Bronze Age level or above, you can purchase one-off access to this podcast for just $10 (or the equivalent in your own currency).
As always, I would love to hear your feedback on this and all podcasts.
Anthony