dolmen
A dolmen is the most common kind of ancient megalithic structure in Europe. It is a single chamber consisting of large upright stones and flat horizontal capstones, which were covered by mounds of earth. It is not proven if these chambers were primary used sepulchraly as tombs or ritualistically as cult places by Prehistoric people.
The word dolmen originates from a Breton saying taol maen, which means stone table. However, dolmens have many other names in different countries. They are a result of thousands of years of architectural and religious activity, being built and used for almost six thousand years, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age all over the world.
Early Neolithic people considered large stones as most eternal, unchangeable and powerful in this changing world. They wanted to optimize this powerful contact between the physical and the divine world by building sacred architecture, which really demanded great manpower. These megalithic structures were meant to last forever, reflecting the human need for the unchangeable.
These mysterious constructs of the ancient world have given rise to a number of theories in explaining their exact function, ranging from a means for universal connection to astronomic tools. There are even megalith addicts.
Latest blogosphere posts tagged “dolmen”
-
Before Babylon There Was…Pyongyang
London Korean Links —
Authority: 130
Two thirds of the world’s dolmens are contained in the Korean peninsula. The Gochang, Hwaun, and Ganghwa dolmen sites can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage list . This probably begs the question, from me at least – what are dolmens exactly? They are stone monuments, generally consisting of two supporting ...3 weeks ago -
Dolmens Telling of Ancient Korea’s Capital
Tongil Korea Net —
Authority: 135
Pyongyang, December 3 (KCNA) — It is well known that the basin of the Taedong River with Pyongyang as the center was a hub of the ancient culture. It is proved by the fact that dolmens representing the culture of Tangun’s Korea were distributed in the area densely and in great numbers.Many dolmens find themselves ...3 weeks ago
