cromlech etymology

Etymology and Meaning:

• Cromlech is a term of Cornish origin, derived from the words:
  • cromm meaning "bent, curved"
  • lech meaning "flat stone"

It refers to a prehistoric megalithic structure consisting of a circle of upright stones (menhirs) topped by one or more horizontal stones (capstones).

Origin:

Cromlechs are found throughout Europe, but they are particularly common in the British Isles and Brittany in France. They were constructed during the Neolithic period (around 4000-2000 BC) and are associated with funerary rituals and practices.

Purpose and Significance:

• Funerary: Cromlechs were often used as burial sites or memorials for deceased individuals or groups. Archaeologists have found human remains, artifacts, and cremated bones within and around many cromlechs.
• Ritualistic: These structures may have also served as places for religious ceremonies, rituals, or gatherings.
• Astronomical: Some cromlechs are aligned with astronomical events, such as solstices or equinoxes, suggesting that they may have had an astronomical significance for marking time or navigating the seasons.
• Social: Cromlechs could have been focal points for communities, serving as gathering places for trade, exchange, or social events.

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