Megalithic Sites & Museums of Europe

Today there are 11 standing stones, two of which are ‘menhir statues’, as they are carved with human features. These statues are amonst the most elaborate of the Corsican style of menhir statues. On the ground, and beneath the ground’s surface there are over 100 fragments, indicating there were many more stelae. The rock used is granite, not local. Archaeological research at the site revealed three phases of construction, the first mid Neolithic, around 4500 to 4100 years ago. The final at the end of the Bronze Age, 1300 to 900 years ago. This is one of the three sites at Cauria.

This seemingly random collection of 28 short standing stones was a much more impressive site during the Bronze Age. Excavations from 1994 to 2000 revealed that there were over 170 monoliths erected in three phases making up four rows of stones running north-south. The remains of these other stones can be seen on their sides and/or partially buried. One of three megalithic monuments making up the Cauria archaeological site, they are easy to find. A walking tour of the three locations takes about an hour. Remember to take water and a hat – there is little to no shade.

On an open stretch of land next to the sea, that has been variously used as a camping site and a football field in the past, is a series of  megalithic alignments. Eighty-seven standing stones are spread over a length of more than 200m. Earlier records of the site suggest there were as many as 600 stones stretching for over 1000 m. A shell midden nearby, with Neolithic ceramics, and a bronze axe recovered from the base of one of menhirs suggest a date of the late Neolithic. A picturesque setting, these megaliths are popular with photographers.

This collection of around 100 standing stones of various shapes and sizes is the largest known group of standing menhirs on the Iberian peninsula, and one of the largest in all of Europe. When first recorded in the 1960s, most of the stones had fallen. The stones were originally erected sometime between 6,000 and 4,000 BC – during the Neolithic period. Archaeological excavations have not revealed evidence for any funerary function. Some of the stones have very feint carved geometric images on them.

About 8 km south of Flensburg is Arnkiel archaeological park, a two-hectare space with six funerary monuments. Including one large, 70 m long reconstructed ‘Hünenbett’, or ‘long bed’ burial chamber. The megalithic structures at Arnkiel-Park date to the Neolithic period between 4200 – 1700 BC. An onsite information centre provides extensive information in different languages about the archaeology of the site and the area.

At 72 m long, 13 to 28 m wide and 6 m high, the Neolithic Cairn of Barnenez is the world’s largest prehistoric megalithic cairn. The first phase of this structure was around 4,500 year ago, making this one of the oldest structures raised by humans. Besides the many corridor dolmens, some of the megaliths were carved. Visitors are free to walk around the monument, but guided tours allow you to enter the decorated passages. A permanent onsite exhibition outlines the archaeology of the site.

Bryn Celli Ddu is probably the most famous archaeological site on Anglesey. A Neolithic monument, it underwent several phases of development. Excavation suggests that it originated as an earthen henge containing several stone settings before people in the later part of the Neolithic period transformed it into a passage grave. In this form it represents an earthen tumulus containing a narrow stone-lined passage aligned with the summer solstice. The remains of several deceased people were then placed inside this chamber, perhaps indicating ancestor veneration.

The different series of stone alignments to the north of Carnac are made up of over 3,000 individual standing stones – they are the largest concentration of megaliths in the World. Thought to have been erected between 7,000 and 4,000 years ago, the lines of standing stones cover a distance of about four kilometres in total. Although now fenced off, guided tours of certain sections of the stones are available that enable visitors to walk among the stones. These guided tours are highly recommended.

Its name a reference to the legendary King Arthur, who plays an important role in traditional Welsh folklore, Carreg Coetan Arthur is part of a Neolithic burial chamber constructed around 3000 BC. Today it survives as a dolmen, although it is likely that the structure was inside a mound made of earth and perhaps also stone. Archaeologists excavated the site during the 1960s and 1970s, revealing cremated human bone as well as fragments of both Grooved Ware and Beaker Ware prehistoric pottery.

This Bronze Age dolmen was first discovered by archaeologists in 1909, and excavated the following year. Although much of the earth that once covered the standing stones had long since disappeared from the dolmen, archaeologists did find a rich archaeological deposit. Besides remains of ceramic vessels, stone knives and animal bones, the remains of at least 6 individuals had been scattered about within the burial chamber. Two humans were found in a foetal position.