Dolmens and menhirs, what for? [ST]
Error: In the video, the Middle Neolithic dates displayed have been reversed; they are indeed from 6500 to 4300 BC.
Menhirs and dolmens are much talked about, but what societies were behind them? What functions could these monuments have had? In this episode, I invite you to talk about megalithism.
Thanks to Guilhem from @DHistoiresenHistoire and Simon from @latelierdhistoire for their proofreading.
Thanks to Flagadoss for his illustration.
Sources:
Gallay, A. Megalithic Societies: Power of Men, Memory of the Dead. (Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes, 2006).
Guilaine, J. Megalithic Mediterranean: Dolmens, Hypogea, Sanctuaries. (Archéologie nouvelle, 2011).
Living and Past Megalithisms: Interwoven Approaches. (Archaeopress Publishing Ltd, 2016).
Images used:
The Kerloas menhir, in Plouarzel (Finistère), the largest standing menhir in Brittany.
The Crucuno dolmen, in Plouharnel
Illustration of a dolmen diagram (© Cité de la Préhistoire)
Morrel wide passage dolmen
Megalithic temples of Malta, Martin Gray, Sacred Sites
The Lion Gate at Mycenae, by Théodose du Moncel, 1845
Photo of the Lady of Saint-Sernin
Detail of a pillar at Gobekli Tepe. (German Archaeological Institute/DAI)
Albert Naef's 1901 survey of a double burial of a man and a woman with a pectoral made of swine tusks (Vaud Cantonal Archives - GALLAY (A.) (ed.), From the Alps to Lake Geneva. Images of Prehistory, Gollion, Infolio, 2006).
Plan of the “Fairy Cave” by Cazalis de Fondouce, 1873
Burial of Saint-Doulchard, Inrap, Laure Pecqueur
Transport of a megalith from the island of Nias, 1910 (Schöder, 1917)
Potlatch at Alert Bay, circa 1897. Photo: William Halliday, BC Archives
Music:
Monkey Island SE OST - LeChuck's Theme
Pulsar Pursuit, Max LL
Inca Theme - Medieval (Civilization 6 OST) Siempre macho
Rome Theme - Medieval (Civilization 6 OST) Magna Mater
Thunder Harverst, Max LL