Megalith(巨石. 거석)과 megalithic culture(巨石文化. 거석문화)

[류재수]

Megalith(巨石. 거석)

A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a prehistoric structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. More than 35,000 megalithic structures have been identified across Europe, ranging geographically from Sweden in the north to the Mediterranean Sea in the south.

The word was first used in 1849 by the British antiquarian Algernon Herbertin reference to Stonehenge and derives from Ancient Greek μέγας(mégas), meaning "great", and λίθος(líthos), meaning "stone". Most extant megaliths were erected between the Neolithic period (although earlier Mesolithic examples are known) through the Chalcolithic period and into the Bronze Age.

Types and definitions(유형과 정의)

While "megalith" is often used to describe a single piece of stone, it also can be used to denote one or more rocks hewn in definite shapes for special purposes. It has been used to describe structures built by people from many parts of the world living in many different periods. The most widely known megaliths are not tombs.

Single stones(單一石. 단일석)

Menhir(立石[입석]. 입암. 선돌. 삿갓바위)

Menhir is the name used in Western Europe for a single upright stone erected in prehistorictimes; sometimes called a "standing stone".

Monolith(一石株. 일석주)

A monolith is any single standing stone erected in prehistoric times.

Capstone style(冠石型[관석형]. 갓돌형)

Single megaliths placed horizontally, often over burial chambers, without the use of support stones.

Stone Statue(石像. 석상)

A stone statue is erected by inscribing a human face on the stone. It refers to Buksu (Jangseung ; Korean traditional totem pole) or stone haroobang and gate and stone figure erected in front of the tomb. This stone statue was discovered in many countries, but the stone statue in Easter Island of the South Pacific is representative. About 200 stone statues of human faces are erected facing towards the sea along the coast 3,200km away from South America. The stone statue of 10 m in height and 86 tons in weight is called 'the mystery of Easter Island'.

Multiple stones(複合石. 복합석)

Alignments(Stone Alignment. Stone Row. 列石(열석). 둘레돌)

Multiple megaliths placed in relation to each other with intention. Often placed in rows or spirals. Some alignments, such as the Carnac Stones in Brittany, France, consist of thousands of stones.

Megalithic walls(巨石壁. 거석벽)

Also called Cyclopean walls.

Stone circles(環狀列石. 환상열석)

In most languages stone circles are called "cromlechs" (a word in the Welsh language); the word "cromlech" is sometimes used with that meaning in English.

Dolmen(portal tomb. 支石墓[지석묘]. 고인돌. )

A dolmen is a stone table, consisting of a wide stone supported by several other stones.

A dolmen, also known as a portal tomb, is a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb and is a relic representing the megalithic culture. In Europe, megalithic monument was built with stones since the Neolithic era and in Asia and other regions, dolmens were built in the Bronze Age or Iron Age.
Dolmens in Asia including Korea were featured by one capstone in one grave and those in Western Europe were characterized by tunnel type (passage type) with several capstones over several upright stones.

Cist(祭器箱子. 제기상자)

A cist s a small stone-built coffin-like box or ossuary used to hold the bodies of the dead. Burials are megalithic forms very similar to dolmens in structure. These types of burials were completely underground.

cist (고대로마의) 제기상자(祭器箱子)

ossuary 봉안소. 뼈단지.공동매장지.