From the outside, it has the look of some alien spaceship that’s been dumped in the green landscape of rural Ireland. But this extraordinary structure is actually the handiwork of humans who lived more than 5,000 years ago. And recent DNA analysis of remains found at the site points to some disturbing truths about these ancient Irish people.

Inside, narrow passages decorated with exquisite Stone-Age carvings lead through the ancient structure. And they end in chambers that were used as tombs for the remains of the chieftains of these long-dead people. This astonishing edifice called Newgrange is located in the Boyne Valley, where a range of ancient tombs have been uncovered over the years.