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| [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Thracianmegalith200.jpg|right|frame]] | | [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Thracianmegalith200.jpg|right|frame]] |
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− | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1853] | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1853] |
| ==Definition== | | ==Definition== |
| *1:a very large usually rough stone used in prehistoric cultures as a [[monument]] or building block | | *1:a very large usually rough stone used in prehistoric cultures as a [[monument]] or building block |
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| A '''megalith''' is a large stone that has been used to construct a [[structure]] or [[monument]], either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement. | | A '''megalith''' is a large stone that has been used to construct a [[structure]] or [[monument]], either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement. |
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− | The word 'megalith' comes from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Ancient Greek] μέγας megas meaning great, and λίθος lithos meaning stone. Megalith also denotes an item consisting of rock(s) hewn in definite shapes for special [[purposes]]. It has been used to describe buildings built by people from many parts of the world living in many [[different]] periods. A variety of large stones are seen as megaliths, with the most widely known megaliths not being [[Tomb|sepulchral]]. The construction of these [[structures]] took place mainly in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic Neolithic] (though earlier [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesolithic Mesolithic] examples are known) and continued into the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalcolithic Chalcolithic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age Bronze Age]. | + | The word 'megalith' comes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Ancient Greek] μέγας megas meaning great, and λίθος lithos meaning stone. Megalith also denotes an item consisting of rock(s) hewn in definite shapes for special [[purposes]]. It has been used to describe buildings built by people from many parts of the world living in many [[different]] periods. A variety of large stones are seen as megaliths, with the most widely known megaliths not being [[Tomb|sepulchral]]. The construction of these [[structures]] took place mainly in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic Neolithic] (though earlier [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesolithic Mesolithic] examples are known) and continued into the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalcolithic Chalcolithic] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age Bronze Age]. |
| + | <center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Megaliths''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Megaliths '''''this link'''''].</center> |
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| ==Early stone complexes in eastern Turkey== | | ==Early stone complexes in eastern Turkey== |
− | At a number of sites in eastern [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey Turkey], large [[ceremonial]] complexes from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9000_BC 9th millennium BC] have been [[discovered]]. They belong to the incipient [[phases]] of [[agriculture]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_husbandry animal husbandry], from which the European (or Western) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic Neolithic] would later develop. Large circular [[structures]] involving carved megalithic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalithic_architectural_elements#Orthostat orthostats] are a typical feature, e.g. at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevali_Cori Nevali Cori] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe Göbekli Tepe]. Although these [[structures]] are the most ancient megalithic structures known so far, it is not clear that any of the European Megalithic [[traditions]] are actually derived from them. At [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe Göbekli Tepe] four stone circles have been excavated from an estimated 20. Some measure up to 30 metres across. The stones carry carved reliefs of boars, foxes, lions, birds, snakes and scorpions. | + | At a number of sites in eastern [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey Turkey], large [[ceremonial]] complexes from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9000_BC 9th millennium BC] have been [[discovered]]. They belong to the incipient [[phases]] of [[agriculture]] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_husbandry animal husbandry], from which the European (or Western) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic Neolithic] would later develop. Large circular [[structures]] involving carved megalithic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalithic_architectural_elements#Orthostat orthostats] are a typical feature, e.g. at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevali_Cori Nevali Cori] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe Göbekli Tepe]. Although these [[structures]] are the most ancient megalithic structures known so far, it is not clear that any of the European Megalithic [[traditions]] are actually derived from them. At [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe Göbekli Tepe] four stone circles have been excavated from an estimated 20. Some measure up to 30 metres across. The stones carry carved reliefs of boars, foxes, lions, birds, snakes and scorpions. |
| ==European megaliths== | | ==European megaliths== |
− | The most common type of megalithic construction in Europe is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_tomb portal tomb] – a chamber consisting of upright stones (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthostat orthostats]) with one or more large flat capstones forming a roof. Many of these, though by no means all, contain [[human]] remains, but it is debatable whether use as [[burial]] sites was their primary [[function]]. Though generally known as ''dolmens'' the correct term accepted by [[archaeologists]] is ''portal tomb''. However many local [[names]] exist, such as ''anta'' in Portugal, ''stazzone'' in Sardinia, ''hunebed'' in the Netherlands, ''Hünengrab'' in Germany, ''dysse'' in Denmark, and ''cromlech'' in Wales. It is [[assumed]] that most portal tombs were originally covered by earthen mounds. | + | The most common type of megalithic construction in Europe is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_tomb portal tomb] – a chamber consisting of upright stones [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthostat orthostats]) with one or more large flat capstones forming a roof. Many of these, though by no means all, contain [[human]] remains, but it is debatable whether use as [[burial]] sites was their primary [[function]]. Though generally known as ''dolmens'' the correct term accepted by [[archaeologists]] is ''portal tomb''. However many local [[names]] exist, such as ''anta'' in Portugal, ''stazzone'' in Sardinia, ''hunebed'' in the Netherlands, ''Hünengrab'' in Germany, ''dysse'' in Denmark, and ''cromlech'' in Wales. It is [[assumed]] that most portal tombs were originally covered by earthen mounds. |
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| + | The second-most-common [[tomb]] type is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passage_grave passage grave]. It normally consists of a square, circular, or cruciform chamber with a slabbed or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbelling corbelled] roof, accessed by a long, straight passageway, with the whole [[structure]] covered by a circular mound of [[earth]]. Sometimes it is also [[surrounded]] by an external stone ''kerb''. Prominent examples include the sites of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bru_na_Boinne Brú na Bóinne] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrowmore Carrowmore] in Ireland, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maes_Howe Maes Howe] in Orkney, and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavrinis Gavrinis] in France. |
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− | The second-most-common [[tomb]] type is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passage_grave passage grave]. It normally consists of a square, circular, or cruciform chamber with a slabbed or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbelling corbelled] roof, accessed by a long, straight passageway, with the whole [[structure]] covered by a circular mound of [[earth]]. Sometimes it is also [[surrounded]] by an external stone ''kerb''. Prominent examples include the sites of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bru_na_Boinne Brú na Bóinne] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrowmore Carrowmore] in Ireland, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maes_Howe Maes Howe] in Orkney, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavrinis Gavrinis] in France. | + | The third [[tomb]] type is a diverse group known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallery_grave gallery graves]. These are axially arranged chambers placed under elongated mounds. The Irish [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_tomb court tombs], British [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_barrow long barrows], and German ''Steinkisten'' belong to this [[group]]. |
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− | The third [[tomb]] type is a diverse group known as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallery_grave gallery graves]. These are axially arranged chambers placed under elongated mounds. The Irish [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_tomb court tombs], British [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_barrow long barrows], and German ''Steinkisten'' belong to this [[group]].
| + | Another type of megalithic [[monument]] is the single standing stone, or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menhir menhir]. Some of these are [[thought]] to have an [[astronomical]] [[function]] as a marker or [[foresight]], and, in some areas, long and [[complex]] alignments of such stones exist, for example, at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnac Carnac] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany Brittany]. |
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− | Another type of megalithic [[monument]] is the single standing stone, or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menhir menhir]. Some of these are [[thought]] to have an [[astronomical]] [[function]] as a marker or [[foresight]], and, in some areas, long and [[complex]] alignments of such stones exist, for example, at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnac Carnac] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany Brittany].
| + | In parts of Britain and Ireland the best-known type of megalithic construction is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_circle stone circle], of which there are hundreds of examples, including [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge Stonehenge], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avebury Avebury], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Brodgar Ring of Brodgar], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltany Beltany]. These, too, display [[evidence]] of [[astronomical]] alignments, both solar and lunar. Stonehenge, for example, is famous for its [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice solstice] alignment. Examples of stone circles are also found in the rest of Europe. They are assumed to be of later date than the [[tombs]], straddling the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic Neolithic] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age Bronze Ages]. |
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− | In parts of Britain and Ireland the best-known type of megalithic construction is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_circle stone circle], of which there are hundreds of examples, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge Stonehenge], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avebury Avebury], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Brodgar Ring of Brodgar], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltany Beltany]. These, too, display [[evidence]] of [[astronomical]] alignments, both solar and lunar. Stonehenge, for example, is famous for its [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice solstice] alignment. Examples of stone circles are also found in the rest of Europe. They are assumed to be of later date than the [[tombs]], straddling the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic Neolithic] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Age Bronze Ages].
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| ==Tombs== | | ==Tombs== |
− | Megalithic [[tombs]] are aboveground burial chambers, built of large stone slabs (megaliths) laid on edge and covered with [[earth]] or other, smaller stones. They are a type of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamber_tomb chamber tomb], and the term is used to describe the [[structures]] built across Atlantic Europe, the [[Mediterranean]], and neighbouring regions, mostly during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic Neolithic] period, by Neolithic [[farming]] communities. They differ from the contemporary [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_barrow long barrows] through their structural use of stone. | + | Megalithic [[tombs]] are aboveground burial chambers, built of large stone slabs (megaliths) laid on edge and covered with [[earth]] or other, smaller stones. They are a type of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamber_tomb chamber tomb], and the term is used to describe the [[structures]] built across Atlantic Europe, the [[Mediterranean]], and neighbouring regions, mostly during the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neolithic Neolithic] period, by Neolithic [[farming]] communities. They differ from the contemporary [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_barrow long barrows] through their structural use of stone. |
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− | There is a huge variety of megalithic [[tombs]]. The free-standing single chamber [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolmen dolmens] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_dolmen portal dolmens] found in Brittany, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Wales, and elsewhere consist of a large flat stone supported by three, four, or more standing stones. They were covered by a stone [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn cairn] or earth [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumulus barrow].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalith] | + | There is a huge variety of megalithic [[tombs]]. The free-standing single chamber [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolmen dolmens] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_dolmen portal dolmens] found in Brittany, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Wales, and elsewhere consist of a large flat stone supported by three, four, or more standing stones. They were covered by a stone [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn cairn] or earth [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumulus barrow].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalith] |
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| [[Category: Architecture]] | | [[Category: Architecture]] |