NEWGRANGE: A Neolithic ritual landscape revealed... The Hidden Henge There is also evidence of a more subtle nature for the existence of another henge between the Geometric Henge and the Univallate Henge. The enclosure of this ‘Hidden Henge’, c. 98m across, appears to be contiguous with the outer edge of the bank that forms the Univallate Henge to the north-west and would be contiguous with the outer timber circle of the Geometric Henge to the east. This enclosure has some of the features of the Geometric Henge. At the west-north-west the circular enclosing element appears to be aligned on a rectangular feature that may be the fragmentary remains of a structure similar to that on the western perimeter of the Geometric Henge.
Site B henge complex Site B is a large mound close to the Boyne on the east of the floodplain, on the lowest alluvial terrace. Close to the mound in grassland, three enclosures showed up clearly on the aerial photographs. These henges form a distinctive group and their design seems to contrast with the henge group on the west. Two large henge monuments, subcircular in plan and similar in appearance on the aerial photographs, can be seen.
GS plan showing the Univallate Henge (left), the Hidden Henge (centre) and the Geometric Henge (right).
The henge enclosures are defined by broad banks, each with an external ditch. The southern perimeter of the larger of the two henges (c. 160m in diameter) appears to run along the upper edge of the riverbank. The second henge (c. 120m in diameter) is only 12m from the perimeter of the Riverside Henge and appears to enclose a low mound at its centre.
(Below) High-contrast image of the henge complex near the mound known as Site B (top left), showing as differential growth in grassland.
The smallest henge in this group, c. 40m in diameter, is located close to the step of the next alluvial terrace. While it is significantly smaller than the henges on the floodplain, there is evidence that it comprises an outer bank with an internal ditch in which there are large post-holes.
The Four Poster Enclosure The Four-Poster Enclosure is located close to the north-east corner of the field, immediately to the south of Newgrange Farm and c. 460m southwest of Newgrange Passage Tomb. It is sited on level ground on one of the upper alluvial terraces overlooking sloping ground, the palaeochannel and the pond to the south. The Four-Poster Enclosure, so called after the four large post-holes located within it, manifested itself in great detail on the aerial photographs. The enclosure is defined by two rings of palisades, 5.1–5.8m apart. The inner ring defines a circular area c. 22m in diameter. The outer palisade is elliptical in plan, measuring 32m north–south and 28m east–west.
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