In the latest Mythical Ireland Podcast (number #19), I discuss a fascinating new revelation about the great megalithic passage-tomb monument of Newgrange. In 1967, archaeologist Professor Michael J. O'Kelly found - among other bone fragments including those of humans - the fragmented skeletal remains of three large dogs.
A study of those canid bones by specialist Louise von Wijngaarden-Bakker, published as an appendix to O'Kelly's book about Newgrange in 1982, concluded that because of the large size of the dogs, and the good state of preservation of the bones, that these were dogs that had entered Newgrange in recent centuries and got trapped in there.
However, new revelations suggest two fascinating things: firstly, that the dog bones were buried in the chamber of Newgrange some time between 3300 and 3000BC (in other words, at the time the monument was built in the Neolithic), and secondly, that they were likely the bones of either wolves or some sort of wolf-dog hybrid.
A new study of the dog bones of Newgrange is fascinating, and in this podcast, I explore the subject in some depth. Why would wolves have been buried in Newgrange? Were they the favourite pets of the rulers/kings of the time? Were they placed in the chamber of Newgrange to act as psychopomps - otherworld guides?
Listen to this latest podcast as we explore another fascinating revelation about the continually amazing 5,200-year-old monument that is Newgrange/Síd in Broga.
The podcast is around an hour and ten minutes in length. Mythical Ireland podcasts are published first and foremost for Patrons at the Bronze Age level and above.
If you do not wish to become a monthly patron, you can also purchase one-off access to this new podcast for just $10.