Newgrange and Knowth, which is nearby, are two of Europe's finest megalithic monuments. They are located about 5 miles from the village of Slane, Co Meath, near the River Boyne. They are extremely important to any studies of Irish, or indeed European history. Knowth alone contains one-quarter of Europe's megalithic art. Newgrange is also famous for being one of the world's oldest man-made structures. It was built around 3200 BC by a pre-Celtic culture. It is older than the pyramids in Egypt or Stonehenge, in England. Newgrange, by simplest definition, is a passage grave. It is 80 metres in diametre and 12 metres high. Because of its size, prominence, intricacy and many historical references to it we know that it was a select burial site. In fact it is believed to have four kings or druids buried there. However Newgrange is not simply a 'tomb'. It was built so that on the morning of the winter solstice, December 21st, the rays of the rising sun would flood the inner burial chamber with light. This has led to much speculation about why Newgrange was built. The most popular theory is that it was built as some sort of hymn of praise to the sun. That, just as on the darkest day the sun would enter the chamber of the dead so too, it would visit the winter lands bringing them to life once again.