Pigs, pannage, and the solstice: isotopic insights from prehistoric feasting at Newgrange

A new study reveals that feasting at Newgrange, the iconic Neolithic monument within the UNESCO-listed Brú na Bóinne complex, was likely tied to the winter solstice for centuries after its construction. Using isotopic analysis of pig remains, researchers found evidence of rapid weight gain through pannage (foraging) followed by slaughter, suggesting a seasonal pattern around 2600–2450 BC. This indicates that later activities at Newgrange maintained the original monument's solstice-focused significance. Additionally, a unique isotopic signature linked to mast (tree nuts) provides insights into prehistoric pig diets and human-woodland interactions across Europe.

Guiry, E., Beglane, F., Carlin, N., Orton, D., Teeter, M., & Szpak, P. (2025). Pigs, pannage, and the solstice: isotopic insights from prehistoric feasting at Newgrange. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 91, 195–215. https://doi.org/10.1017/ppr.2025.10063