1. Ways of Placing Megaliths in Space in European Neolithic

Abstract

Monoliths of impressive dimensions, menhirs, dolmens and cromlechs are examples of the megalithic civilization which existed in the area of Afro-Eurasia, from Neolithic up to the Bronze Age included. And in the case of menhirs and dolmens, it is also about isolated presences, and about groups. Alignments are groups specific to menhirs: parallel catenations, equally distanced, of organized stones forming a true spacial composition, with the purpose of symbolizing solemn processions. The cromlech is a complex where many menhirs or/and dolmens were placed in concentric circles, here the spacial composition is even more obvious. The present material will refer also to the most complex and coherent megalithic ensemble in the world: Stonehenge Assembly.

Keywords

• alignment
• cromlech
• menhir
• dolmen
• megalith
• trilith
• barrow
• cenotaph
• lintel
• henge
• cist