Monoliths and Megaliths

A monolith is a geological feature consisting of one massive stone. This stone can also be moved to be placed in a monument or by itself. A megalith is a large stone that has been used to create a monumental structure. It can be unaltered or altered by man.

Stonehenge is made of monoliths and is considered a megalithic Structure.

Known Monolithic Stones and Megalithic Structures

• Long Meg and her daughters• Stonehenge• Ring of Brodgar• Adam and Eve longstones• Rudstone

Long Meg and her daughtersThis is the third largest stone circle in England that dates from the Bronze Age. An 18th century legend says that Meg and her daughters were witches and were turned into stone by a wizard or saint. However, research suggests that because the carvings on Long Meg face away from the circle, it was placed there before the “daughters” were.

StonehengeA stone circle dating from around 3100 BC consisting of bluestone, Sarsen, and Welsh sandstone. It is made up of trilithons in the center circle and continuous use of lintels on the outer circle. Most lintels are now missing. There is one large outlier stone known as the Hele/Heel stone that marks the rising of the sun on the summer solstice (June 21)

Ring of BrodgarLocated in Orkney, Ireland, the Ring of Brodgar is a stone circle that is estimated to be from around 2300 BC. The actual date is not known for certain because the inner area of the circle still remains to be excavated. The height of the stones ranges from 7 to 15 feet tall. The stones appear to be of different types of red sandstone.

Adam and Eve LongstonesThe larger stone “Adam” is thought to have been a part of a stone cove while “Eve” was one of the first stones of what was called Beckhampton Avenue. From the findings of archaeologists, the now non-existant enclosure is thought to have been built around 2700-2900 BC. This is also thought to be the date of the creation of the avenue and cove.

Rudstone Unlike all other monoliths, Rudstone is located in a cemetery. It is the largest standing monolith in England at almost 26 feet tall and is made of gritstone. Gritstone was used in England as grinding stones to sharpen weapons. The churchyard that it is located in is about 3000 years younger than the stone. The top looks odd because a lead cap was put there to keep the tip from further eroding.

The understood main purpose behind monolith and megalithic structures and monuments is usually ritual or religious based. Because most structures are Neolithic it is not known what the ritual that took place there was. Most were probably seasonally based, focusing on the winter and summer solstices. Because they have been standing for so long, the practices that take place there have changed throughout time. For example, it is thought that Stonehenge was once a sacred burial ground because human bones were found in the surrounding area. However, later on the Druids used it as a place to perform rituals celebrating the summer solstice and sometimes human sacrifice. Overall, they were most likely created for religious purposes.