| Satellite
16 at Knowth is built right up against the main mound. |
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Knowth 16 is an interesting site, as it almost certainly predated the big mound, as it is built into it on the north-east side. Because of this, the mound is D shaped in plan, with a diameter of about 8.6 meters. The passage originally faced southwest, perhaps to a setting lunar standstill and was about 4 m long. This was modified when the large mound was constructed, and some 1.5 m of passage was removed. The newer extension passage is oriented to the southeast at a right angle to the existing structure, and is about 3.5 m long, with the kerb of the great mound forming the west wall. Sixteen kerbstones were found in their original positions. There were five circular stone settings on the old ground surface and concentric to the kerb, somewhat like those at Carrowmore in county Sligo. There is evidence for corbelling in the chamber, as a number of flags, which apperas to have been the roof, were found in the chamber.
Cremated remains were found in the passage and inner chamber. Other finds were a pin made from the leg bone of a bird, and a shard of Carrowkeel ware from under the mound. There are engravings on 5 of the oassage/chamber stones, including one of the corbells. |
| Site
16 during excavation. Note the stone settings on the old ground level. |
