Knowth

This article is from Current Archaeology issue 416

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REVIEW BY JAMES O’DRISCOLL

The passage-tomb complex of Knowth is often relegated to the status of smaller sibling to the better known Newgrange, despite it being of international importance in its own right. This book summarises over 60 years of excavation, conservation, research, and interpretation in an enjoyable and accessible read. The public focus is felt in the opening ‘walkthrough’ of the monument, followed by Professor Eogan’s account of the discovery of the mound’s main passage. The remaining chapters, written by leading experts, draw us into the historic and prehistoric past. These touch on all the major points of interest, including the site’s settlement activity, the incredible collection of megalithic art, the later prehistoric activity, the reuse of the passage tomb in the historic period, and the mythologising of Knowth.

This is a stunningly illustrated book with a striking front cover, and, while it is aimed at a more general audience, it will be appreciated by the archaeologist as a useful opening salvo to the archaeology of Knowth.

Knowth
Helen King (ed.)
Royal Irish Academy, £15.46
ISBN 978-1802050158