Megalithic means ‘large stone’ and in general, the word is used to refer to any huge, human-built or assembled structure or collection of stones or boulders. Typically, though, megalithic monument refers to monumental architecture built between about 6,000 and 4,000 years ago in Europe, during the Neolithic and Bronze ages.
Megalithic monuments are among the earliest and most permanent archaeological structures. Their original intent is likely lost to the ages. In addition, few retain their original configuration. They were constructed at the end of the Neolithic and during the Metal Ages.
Megaliths clearly had and have multiple meanings and multiple uses over the years. Some of the uses include elite burials, mass burials, meeting places, astronomical observatories, religious centers, temples or territory markers,etc.
Megalithic Common Elements
Megalithic monuments are quite varied in makeup. The following is a list of types of megalithic monuments.
- Obelisks, menhir: single large standing stones. They are related to solar cults.
- Stone circles, cycloliths: a circular monument made of free standing stones. Nine Maidens, Yellowmeade,Stonehenge all in the United Kingdom.
- Dolmens are colective tombs and they are two menhirs covered by another block.
- Passage tombs, tholos tombs: architectural buildings of shaped or cut stone, generally containing burials and sometimes covered with an earthen mound.
- Navetas with the form of an inverted boat and were used as collective tombs. They are from the Balearic Islands.
- Talayots or defensive towers are also typical from the Balearic islands.
- Taulas have the shape of a T and it is thought they were altars.
- Nuraghe similar to the talayots, these are Bronze or Iron Age Sardinian towers or turrets with defensive purposes.
LESSON PLAN:
LESSON PLAN ON MEGALITHIC MONUMENTS
PROJECT ON CREATING A MEGALITHIC MONUMENT:
POWER POINT ON TYPES OF MEGALITHS:
VIDEOS TO WATCH AND REVIEW:
Travelling across time / Viajando a través del tiempo 