Dr. Muiris O’Sullivan

So when you're inside a new range, you see what looked like boulders, maybe, you know, less than a metre across and maybe 20, 30 metres or centimetres or something like that, deep or whatever.

So when you're inside a new range, you see what looked like boulders, maybe, you know, less than a metre across and maybe 20, 30 metres or centimetres or something like that, deep or whatever.

So when you're inside a new range, you see what looked like boulders, maybe, you know, less than a metre across and maybe 20, 30 metres or centimetres or something like that, deep or whatever.

But in fact, this is misleading because what actually happens is we're seeing in the case of this cobbling, in each case, the front of a much larger stone and the bulk of the weight of that stone is behind it. and start sloping slightly downwards so that each layer of cobbling is put up in this way.

But in fact, this is misleading because what actually happens is we're seeing in the case of this cobbling, in each case, the front of a much larger stone and the bulk of the weight of that stone is behind it. and start sloping slightly downwards so that each layer of cobbling is put up in this way.

But in fact, this is misleading because what actually happens is we're seeing in the case of this cobbling, in each case, the front of a much larger stone and the bulk of the weight of that stone is behind it. and start sloping slightly downwards so that each layer of cobbling is put up in this way.

And then it's the weight of the cairn behind it that keeps this cobbling in place as it gradually moves inwards to oversell the space of the cairn, of the chamber. And then at the very top, this flat stone is put across, which I suppose emphasises the fact that this is not an arch, but a corbel system, which is a slightly different building technology.

And then it's the weight of the cairn behind it that keeps this cobbling in place as it gradually moves inwards to oversell the space of the cairn, of the chamber. And then at the very top, this flat stone is put across, which I suppose emphasises the fact that this is not an arch, but a corbel system, which is a slightly different building technology.

And then it's the weight of the cairn behind it that keeps this cobbling in place as it gradually moves inwards to oversell the space of the cairn, of the chamber. And then at the very top, this flat stone is put across, which I suppose emphasises the fact that this is not an arch, but a corbel system, which is a slightly different building technology.

What is remarkable is that in the case of both Newgrange and Nouth, these corbel chambers have stayed intact for the past 5,000 years and more. It's absolutely fascinating that.

What is remarkable is that in the case of both Newgrange and Nouth, these corbel chambers have stayed intact for the past 5,000 years and more. It's absolutely fascinating that.

What is remarkable is that in the case of both Newgrange and Nouth, these corbel chambers have stayed intact for the past 5,000 years and more. It's absolutely fascinating that.

They used a sort of, I can't quite remember the materials they used, but it was some, you know, a mixture of various things to actually seal the spaces. And they also had little channels on tops of these corbels at the back so that the water ran off them. So they went to quite some trouble to waterproof them in those cases.

They used a sort of, I can't quite remember the materials they used, but it was some, you know, a mixture of various things to actually seal the spaces. And they also had little channels on tops of these corbels at the back so that the water ran off them. So they went to quite some trouble to waterproof them in those cases.

They used a sort of, I can't quite remember the materials they used, but it was some, you know, a mixture of various things to actually seal the spaces. And they also had little channels on tops of these corbels at the back so that the water ran off them. So they went to quite some trouble to waterproof them in those cases.

Absolutely. And the three recesses, again, not to bring me back to the people if you want to, Tristan, but just to highlight the fact that the three recesses are also organized in a particular way. Obviously, it creates a cruciform effect. But generally in these passage zones, the right hand recess is given priority.

Absolutely. And the three recesses, again, not to bring me back to the people if you want to, Tristan, but just to highlight the fact that the three recesses are also organized in a particular way. Obviously, it creates a cruciform effect. But generally in these passage zones, the right hand recess is given priority.

Absolutely. And the three recesses, again, not to bring me back to the people if you want to, Tristan, but just to highlight the fact that the three recesses are also organized in a particular way. Obviously, it creates a cruciform effect. But generally in these passage zones, the right hand recess is given priority.

preeminence in terms of size, ornamentation, elaboration, and sometimes the contents of that side. It's an interesting dimension of passage shows this emphasis in Ireland on the right-hand side, the preeminence of the right-hand side, because it's a cross-culture phenomenon. It's found in many cultures.

preeminence in terms of size, ornamentation, elaboration, and sometimes the contents of that side. It's an interesting dimension of passage shows this emphasis in Ireland on the right-hand side, the preeminence of the right-hand side, because it's a cross-culture phenomenon. It's found in many cultures.