A stone menhir is a prehistoric monument consisting of a large upright stone placed vertically in the ground. These structures date back to the Neolithic period and can appear as isolated standing stones, in alignments, or forming stone circles (cromlechs).
📌 Main Characteristics
- A menhir is a megalith, usually made from granite or other durable stone.
- It is elongated and fixed vertically into the soil.
- Some menhirs are left in their natural form, while others were carved or engraved, sometimes featuring small hollows or decorative markings.
🎯 Purpose and Meaning
Although their exact meaning remains uncertain, menhirs are believed to have served various purposes, such as:
- Fertility symbols
- Territorial markers
- Land orientation points
- Sacred or ceremonial sites, especially when arranged in circles
In many cultures, they may also have been used for ritual, religious, or astronomical purposes.