Concept in Definition ABC

In prehistoric times, humans began to build buildings with large blocks of stone, also known as megaliths. In this way, megalistism is the term used to refer to this type of building.

Main features

The stone blocks used were compact and could reach several tons in weight. There are three types of stone buildings: the menhir, the chromlech and the dolmen. The first was normally used to delimit a territory and sometimes several were grouped in an aligned way. When the stones form a circle they are called chromlech. If the stones are combined horizontally and vertically they are called dolmens.

The buildings normally had a funerary and religious purpose, but some of them had a social purpose (for example, to to stock groceries or as defensive towers). In some cases these large stones had a structure that was related to the observation of the stars (for example, Stonehenge in Great Britain is the most internationally known megalithic monument and it is very likely that it was a primitive astronomical observatory).

The megalithic construction developed during the period neolithic, approximately 5000 years a. C. This period is also known as the Stone Age because the rocks were the raw material for the manufacturing of the different utensils.

The construction process

The stones for these buildings were obtained from a relatively nearby quarry. This implies that the large blocks of stones had to be transported and for this a sliding system of the stones was used on log rollers. In this way, with the force of many men the blocks were transported to their final location. Then the blocks had to be carved properly depending on the type of construction that was going to be built. Obviously, it was necessary to prepare some foundation pits so that the blocks would remain firm.

The stones of Stonehenge are a mystery to archaeologists

Although it is believed that this monument had a relationship with the position of the stars, archaeologists maintain some discrepancies about it. This monument has raised all kinds of theories and enigmas. In this sense, the precise meaning of the stones is not known with certainty.

The theory of the astronomical observatory is not shared by all archaeologists. It has been claimed that the men who built it belonged to a race of giants. It has also been said that Stonehenge was a base for Neolithic UFOs.

Photos: Fotolia - Pixaterra / Analuciasilva