Dowth is the least well known of the three great tombs of Brú Na Bóinne although it compares in size with Knowth and Newgrange. The mound is surrounded by a kerb of 115 stones and has two tombs facing westwards. The smaller south tomb has a short passage and a circular chamber with a recess; the north tomb is cruciform in plan containing a large stone basin. There are smaller satellite tombs to the east and south-west of the large mound. The large crater in the centre of the mound is the result of excavations in the 1840’s. There has also been quarrying of the western side. There are few surviving finds from this work but it is known that quantities of human and animal bone were found in the chambers. Like Knowth, Dowth appears to have been a focus of activity in the first millennium AD. One of the passages connects with an Early Christian souterrain or underground passage.

Metadata	Information
Source	The Discovery Programme
Contacts	Mr Anthony Corns Technology Manager The Discovery Programme 63 Merrion Square Dublin D2 Dublin Dublin Ireland +353 1 639 3039 +353 1 639 3710 info@discoveryprogramme.ie The Discovery Programme
Copyright Credit Line	Copyright © The Discovery Programme
Europeana Rights	Creative Commons - Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (BY-NC-ND)
Spatial	Dowth, Brú na Bóinne
Protection Type	National Monuments in State Care
Start Date	-4000
End Date	-2500
Period Name	Neolithic Period
Heritage Asset Type	Megalithic tomb - passage tomb