- dolmen
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—dolmenic /dohl men"ik, dol-/, adj./dohl"men, -meuhn, dol"-/, n. Archaeol.a structure usually regarded as a tomb, consisting of two or more large, upright stones set with a space between and capped by a horizontal stone. Cf. chamber tomb.[1855-60; < F < Cornish, lenited form of tolmen hole of stone (taken by French archeologists to mean CROMLECH)]
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Prehistoric monument usually consisting of several large stone slabs set edgewise in the earth to support a flat stone roof, all covered by a mound of earth that in most cases has weathered away.Designed as a burial chamber, the structure is typical of the Neolithic Period in Europe. Dolmens, though found as far east as Japan, are mainly confined to western Europe and northern Africa. See also megalith; menhir.
Dolmen at Pentre Evan, Dyfed, WalesCrown Copyright: Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments* * *
prehistoric monument usually consisting of several great stone slabs set edgewise in the earth to support a flat stone, which served as a roof. Designed as a burial chamber, the structure is typical of the Neolithic Period in Europe. The word is Celtic in origin but probably is not Breton. Dolmens, although found in covered form as far east as Japan, are mainly confined to Europe, the British Isles, and northern Africa.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
