Astronomical observations.

megaliths.

We took a tour of Stonehenge and saw the megaliths.

Megaliths are large stones that have used before to build a structure or a monument.

Megaliths were often carved from solid stones and carried some distance. Sites like Stonehenge are made from these megaliths several thousand years ago.

Tools came first, as early humans began using rudimentary tools around 2.6 million years ago. Megaliths, on the other hand, started to appear around 9,000 to 4,000 years ago, marking a later stage of human development and societal organization.

out of rock

Henges

A stone called megaliths.

Megaliths such as the Stonehenge.

Stonehenge

Malta

They had stratification.

They had stratification.

No, megaliths are not the name of the stones used to build Çatalhöyük. Megaliths refer to large stones used in prehistoric structures and monuments, such as Stonehenge. Çatalhöyük, an ancient settlement in Turkey, was primarily constructed using mudbrick and not megalithic stones.

A shift to agriculture

domesticating plants

A shift to agriculture

the domestication of plants

They had stratification.

Megaliths in Northern Europe suggest that prehistoric societies in the region had advanced construction and engineering capabilities, as well as a strong cultural and religious significance attached to these monuments. The presence of megaliths also indicates a long-standing human presence in the area with complex societal organization and belief systems.

The reasons for erecting megaliths in the Neolithic era are not fully understood. However, some theories suggest that megaliths served as markers for burial grounds or religious and ceremonial purposes. They may have also been a symbol of social status or acted as communal gathering places. The specific cultural, spiritual, and social significance of megaliths likely varied among different Neolithic communities.

They had economic specialization

they had economic specialization

Giant stones (e.g. the Stonehenge stones) from prehistoric times.

Large, old blocks of cut stone, such as those at Stonehenge.

they had economic specialization

Stonehenge

The exact reasons why people in the Neolithic era erected megaliths are not entirely clear. It is believed that megaliths had various functions, including serving as burial sites, markers of territories or religious and ceremonial spaces. They may have been chosen for their durability and strength, as well as their ability to convey a sense of awe and permanence. The cultural and symbolic significance of megaliths likely played a role in their selection as monuments.

a move away from hunting and gathering

Only civilizations with a food surplus built them.

They had stratification.

megaliths

The megaliths of Easter Island, known as Moai statues, are located on Easter Island, a remote island in the South Pacific Ocean. The statues are scattered across the island, with the majority located near the coast.

A shift away from hunting-gathering to fixed agriculture.

A shift away from hunting-gathering to fixed agriculture.

A shift away from hunting-gathering to fixed agriculture.

A shift away from hunting-gathering to fixed agriculture.

A shift away from hunting-gathering to fixed agriculture.

A shift away from hunting-gathering to fixed agriculture.

A shift away from hunting-gathering to fixed agriculture.

The first megaliths were built in what is now western Europe, particularly in regions such as Brittany in France and the British Isles, including sites like Stonehenge and the dolmens of Ireland. These structures date back to the Neolithic period, around 4000 to 2500 BCE, and served various purposes, including ceremonial and burial functions. The construction of megaliths reflects the social and cultural practices of early agricultural societies in these areas.

They had stratification.

megaliths were built in the neolithic revolution and people could focus on activities other than finding foods. Also because as population grew, groups of people gathered to perform religious ceremonies. This happened because early people learned how to become farmers.

Neolithic Era

People in the Neolithic era likely built megaliths for ceremonial or religious purposes, to mark important locations, or to honor their ancestors. The monumental scale and enduring nature of megaliths would have made them effective symbols of power, community unity, and societal values. They may have also served practical functions such as astronomical observation or as burial sites.

Megaliths are evidence of an advanced civilization because their construction requires significant engineering knowledge, organization, and labor management. These massive stone structures, often aligned with astronomical phenomena, indicate a sophisticated understanding of geometry and the natural world. The ability to quarry, transport, and precisely assemble large stones also suggests advanced tools and techniques, as well as a complex social structure to mobilize resources. Overall, megaliths reflect the cultural and technological capabilities of the societies that built them.

A shift away from hunting-gathering to fixed agriculture.

Stonehenge is in England, not Ireland. Ireland has many ancient sites of its own of great interest, such as Newgrange.

Megaliths, large stone structures, were built during the Neolithic era by societies as burial sites or for religious purposes. They reflect the social organization, technological advancement, and belief systems of the Neolithic people. These megalithic structures indicate a level of social complexity and shared cultural practices within Neolithic societies.