The first megalithic structures date from the final stage of the Neolithic. The term “megaliths” was first proposed by the English researcher A. Herbert in 1849, at a scientific conference in Paris in 1867 they introduced it into scientific circulation. Under this vague concept, most of the structures fall, the significance of which has not yet been determined. Let's do a little research and present the most amazing megalithic structures that archaeologists find in different parts of the world.
Amazing megalithic structures:
1
Stonehenge, UK
Let's start with the most famous megalithic complex. More than one generation of scientists from different fields of activity is already struggling to unravel the secrets of the World Heritage Site.
Not only historians and archaeologists, but also astronomers with ethnographers broke the secrets of polished plates lined up in a clear circle. Around were discovered artifacts that made it possible to establish the time of the erection of the monument.
What is it? The Observatory, Calendar, or Ancient Sanctuary is not yet known. Scientists know only one thing. They built an amazing building for a thousand years, from about 3,020 to 2,100 BC. e.
By the way, you can find out about the incredible architectural structures of the Ancient World on the site most-beauty.ru in this interesting article.
2
Nan Madol, Federated States of Micronesia
In the Pacific Ocean on a small area there are islands of the Nan Madol archipelago, known to the world for the ancient stone buildings preserved on the islands.
Researchers have found that unusual structures were built between about 1200-1500 years. The basalt slabs used in the construction were installed directly on the coral reefs. Thus, the lower level of structures is under water, and the entire system is united by a network of underground passages.
The uniqueness of the building, so uncharacteristic for that time, gives rise to a lot of incredible hypotheses. Many associate the megaliths of Nan Madol with the most ancient dead civilizations, and someone talks about aliens.
3
Beltany Stone Circle, Ireland
In the northwestern part of Ireland, archaeologists have found a stone circle, the significance of which is still unknown. It is known that they laid it out in the middle of the II millennium BC. e.
The diameter of the circle in which 69 stones are laid is 45 meters. Various versions are being put forward. Some say that this is an ancient temple, others claim that the stones laid out around were used for scientific purposes.
The name "Beltani" itself can be associated with the name of the holiday Beltayn. It was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox. During the celebration, bonfires were lit in the hills, and the circle may symbolize the Sun.
4
Puma Punku, Bolivia
The majestic ritual megalithic complex is spread among the Bolivian open spaces not far from the wonderful Lake Titicaca. In Quechua, the name literally means "Puma's Gate", and the Incas believed that it was here that the creation of the world took place.
The first Europeans to see the mighty stones of the sanctuary were the Spanish conquistadors who described the monument in 1549. Studies of the twentieth century showed that the complex was built in the VI century.
Scientists also noted that the builders of that time were well acquainted with descriptive geometry. The blocks were processed so that they became tight against each other, and held without a bonding solution. According to most-beauty.ru, this is one of the most mysterious places saturated with megalithic structures.
5
Karnak stones, France
Not far from the French town of Karnak lies an amazing alley of huge menhirs. In total, there are about 3,000 prehistoric megaliths in the complex.
Stones were carved from local rocks, and set them in orderly rows around 3,500 BC. e. Three lanes are clearly visible at the complex. Some scholars have suggested that the stones copy the starry sky above this part of Europe, others say that the location of the stones is related to the position of the sun.
In addition to stone avenues, dolmens, as well as barrows, were investigated here. Earthen mounds poured over the graves, and passageways made of stones led into the burial chamber.
6
Scara Bray, Scotland
On the Scottish island of Skara Bray, a Neolithic settlement was perfectly preserved, which opened to the world after a storm in 1850. Waves washed away the top layer of grass and soil, and amazing stone structures appeared from under the ground.
The settlement has eight houses built in about 3,100 BC. e. Around 2,500 BC e., the population was forced to leave these places due to abrupt climate change.
As a building material used mica sandstone. Large blocks were set on top of each other, and the dwellings themselves were arranged right in the hills.
7
Olmec stone heads
Olmec tribes are mentioned in Aztec documentary chronicles, and in memory of their existence they left amazing artifacts. These are 17 giant male heads carved from basalt.
The Olmecs were the founders of the first largest civilization in Central America. Having discovered these statues, archaeologists began exploring the territories, revealing to the world a unique ancient culture.
Statues of heads were made around the turn of the 2nd - 1st millennia BC. e. All the sculptures have fleshy cheeks, slightly slanting eyes and a flat nose. Sculptures allow you to recreate the image of the ancient inhabitants of Mexico.
8
Stone idols of Easter
Another stone idol was discovered on Easter Island. From the Hawaiian language, "moai" is translated as "an idol, an idol, a statue." They were made by the indigenous inhabitants of the island between 1,200 and 1,500 years.
In the scientific world, there is no consensus on the time of manufacture and how to move the huge sculptures on the island. In total there are about 900 pieces, and the largest of them weighs over 82 tons.
Scientists and quarries were found where they took material for the manufacture of idols. Many legends and legends are associated with them, but one thing is clear that stone sculptures are part of the religious cult of the tribes that inhabited the island during the Middle Ages.
9
Gavrini, France
On a small island in the Gulf of Morbihan, about 3,600 BC. e. an unusual megalithic corridor tomb was erected, which has become in our time a unique monument of Neolithic art.
The first excavations were carried out in 1835, during which they established the dating and established the general layout. The diameter of the tomb is a little more than 50 m, and a corridor with a length of 14 m leads into the burial chamber.
On huge stones, carvings in the form of floral ornaments and geometric patterns are carved. In the 30s of the twentieth century, a unique monument was restored, and now it is a huge open-air museum complex.
10
Sculptures of Bad, Indonesia
In the wonderful Indonesian valley of Bad, there are also megaliths reminiscent of the Moai from Easter Island. But unlike them, the Indonesian sculptures are more masterful.
Scientists can not yet unravel the secrets of these highly artistic sculptures. They do not know either age or purpose. The first Europeans asked local people about the statues. But they replied that they were always here.
After examining the material, scientists came to the conclusion that the statues are most likely imported, since there is no such stone in the district. It is believed that these are places of mass sacrifice, and the indigenous people believe that these are petrified evil spirits.
11
Wheel of Spirits, Golan Heights
On the very border of Syria and Israel, among the Golan Heights, the so-called wheel of spirits was discovered. Four conical circles of stones with a mound in the center appeared around the middle of the 4th millennium BC. e.
The editors of most-beauty found in various sources several names of this unique megalithic monument. Arabs call him Rudzhm al-Hiri, which means the stone wall of a wild cat. In Israel, the monument is known as the Rafaim Wheel.
The diameter of the outer circle is 158 m, and all the rings are connected by jumpers. It is assumed that this is a kind of ancient calendar. But there are those who disagree with this theory, arguing that this is a sacred place for religious ceremonies.
12
Radston Monolith, England
England's highest megalith stands in the churchyard of the village of Radston. The height of the menhir is 7.6 m, and it was carved in about 1,600 BC. e.
Naturally, having such a venerable age, the artifact has overgrown with many legends and traditions. In the Christian period, people began to say that this is the spear that the devil threw at the church.
Researcher William Strickland found that the monolith was deeply buried in the ground. So its real height is twice the visible part. Ancient skulls and bones were discovered around. This suggested that this was a place of sacrifice.
13
Gisando Bulls, Portugal
In the north of Portugal and the territory of Galicia, among the picturesque landscapes of the highland plain there are roughly processed, but recognizable stone figures of animals.
In total, about 400 sculptures have been studied, but the most famous are the Gisando Bulls. Four stone bulls stand on top of a hill, the horns of which are obliterated by time.
Carved animal figures from granite around the II century BC. e. Historians and archaeologists suggest that they created sculptures of the vetons, the oldest Celtic people living in Spain. What the purpose of the sculptures is still not exactly figured out, but maybe it's just a work of ancient sculpture art.
Do not miss, on our site most-beauty.ru there is an interesting article about the 10 most beautiful sculptural parks in the world.
14
Gray rams, England
In addition to the bulls, there are also megalithic sheep standing in the marshy area of southwestern England. These are two circles, in each of which 30 stones are laid out.
The circles are located close to each other, and their diameter is 33 m. During archaeological excavations in the center, a large layer of ash was discovered. Perhaps ritual ceremonies were held here, but which ones are still unclear. They cannot determine the ethnicity of the people who laid out these mysterious circles.
The monument got such an original name due to the fact that local peasants once managed to sell stones to a tipsy farmer, passing them in the dark for sheep.
15
Tiunaka, Bolivia
The world-famous megalithic complex in Bolivia, which was the center of public education in Pukin. They began to erect it in the II century, and in about 1180, residents were forced to leave the city, due to the invasion of the stake stakes.
The name of the complex is translated as “a stone in the center”, since local tribes considered this area the center of the world. During the research, stone buildings were discovered that appeared here as early as the 1st millennium BC. e.
In historical documents, the complex was first described in 1553.
The most amazing structure of Tiunaka is the Gate of the Sun. The Spanish conquistadors were struck by powerful structures.
16
Deer Stones, Mongolia
In the north of Mongolia there is a unique place, where among the boundless expanses of steppe surrounded by mountain peaks, more than 1,200 carved megaliths were discovered.
They were installed at the place of burial of soldiers and places of sacrifice. They are all different in height. The lowest is just over a meter, the highest reach five meters.
The age of these amazing monuments dates from the Bronze and Early Iron Age. On the stones are deer, birds, horses. There are stylistic drawings of the sun. Ethnographers believe that such drawings symbolize the path of the soul to the afterlife.
17
Drombeg
The "Druid Altar," as the locals call the monument, was erected in the Bronze Age. This is an unusual circle with a diameter of 9.3 m, laid out of 17 stones. To date, only 13 menhirs have survived.
Near the circle, archaeologists examined two stone dwellings, the finds in which made it possible to determine the age of the megalithic structure. Two cup-shaped depressions were found on one of the stones.
In addition, burial according to the rite of cremation in a vessel was discovered here. Interestingly, the vessel was deliberately broken during the burial rite. It turned out that constantly people did not live here, but only came for a certain time.
18
Mound Barnenes, France
We complete the journey on the Kernelen peninsula in France, where in the V millennium BC. e. An amazing stone mound was erected. It was built by the inhabitants of the Neolithic era, and today it is the earliest megalithic structure in Europe.
Under piled stones, underground walkways and long corridors were discovered. Drawings were found on some stones, and archaeologists found ceramics from the Bronze Age in the monument itself.
The length of the cairn is 72 m, and the total height of Barnenes is 8 m. According to archaeologists, such a massive structure was built in several stages. They used it as a burial place, and also held religious rites here.
As you can see, France is one of the most mentioned countries, where there are various amazing megalithic structures.
Conclusion
So we found out where the most amazing megalithic structures are located. The first megaliths began to be built by the inhabitants of Europe. Later they began to appear in Asia, Latin and Central America, on the African continent. There is still a lot of mysterious in the world, and, perhaps, the next generation of inquisitive researchers will be able to solve the mystery of amazing stone structures.
And, as usual, most-beauty expects feedback from you. What ancient megalithic structures would you add to our list?
Posted by Valery Skiba