10 AMAZING Megalithic Structures! Largest, Ancient Structures in the World!

All across the world exist ancient, massive stone structures known as megaliths. You’re probably familiar with a few of these famous structures, such as Stonehenge, in England, to the great pyramids of Egypt. So, today, we’re going to introduce you to 10 you may not have heard of! Find out which one was created from stones that each weighed more than 8 full grown elephants! Covering Ireland, Athens, Bolivia, Peru, and more! Discover the ancient history of giants! Brought to you by Zero2Hero! Number 10: Chun Quoit, England. Situated on open moorland near Penden in Cornwall, England, Chun Quoit is the best preserved example of Neolithic dolmens in western Cornwall. And, after consulting my encyclopedia, I learned that a dolmen is a massive, single chambered stone tomb. Anyway, this one is believed to have been built about 2400 BCE, it sits in an area with many megalithic sites. The design is a closed chamber with a massive mushroom-domed capstone positioned on top. Unfortunately, little archaeological evidence has been found in the immediate vicinity, which has left archaeologist unsure of its exact function and intended design. However, they do believe that a dolmen is the most likely answer. As with many of the megalithic sites across the world, this one leaves you asking more questions that it provides answers for! Number 9: Pentre Ifan, Wales. Located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Pentre Ifan monument is the best preserved example of a Neolithic dolmen in Wales. Dating estimated at roughly 3500 BCE, nearly 1000 years older than the one in Cornwall, all that remains of the site today is 7 principal stones, the largest measuring 16 feet long, 8 feet wide and 3 feet thick, and might weigh up to 16 tons. A considerable weight considering it rests on the tips of the other erect stones! The site has traditionally been identified as a communal burial, and according to this theory, the existing stones would have formed an entrance to an inner chamber covered by a mound. However, others have hypothesized that what we see today could be more or less what it was intended to be. According to this theory, the stones were never meant to be buried, and could have simply have been a more elaborate version of a standing stone. Whatever its purpose and original design, it definitely stands out in the landscape. Number 8: Atlit Yam, Israel. Not all of the world’s great monuments are easy to visit, and Atlit Yam is definitely one of the hardest - for average archaeologist and tourists alike. Situated between 26 to 40 feet below sea level, the site is a Neolithic village, which covers about 10 acres. Located on the site is a megalithic stone semicircle that appears to have been arranged surrounding a fresh water spring - which some believe suggests it may have been associated to a water ritual. So how did it end up under the sea? Some of the archaeological evidence found during underwater excavations has led archaeologists to believe the site was suddenly abandoned…but why? Well, it definitely doesn’t look like they voluntarily left it. Some believe it was due to a tsunami caused by the volcanic collapse of the eastern flank of Mount Etna around 8500 years ago. Not only did they have to contend with a tsunami, but it’s possible that some of the other round structures on the site served as wells, which gradually became contaminated with sea water as sea levels rose at the end of the last ice age. So… even without the tsunami, the site would have soon became uninhabitable anyway. Number 7: Carnac stones, France. Situated in and around the village of Carnac in Brittany, the site consists of rows upon rows of over 3000 prehistoric standing stones. Yes that’s right, 3000 of these massive blocks scatter the landscape! Archaeologists believe they were originally erected around 3300 BCE; however some of them might be even older, dating as early as 4500BCE. Given their age, it’s perhaps not surprising that about only 700 of them remain in tact and standing. But what was their function? Well, they have been the subjects of myths and legends as far back as the Roman times, and interest in the site intensified in the early 16th century when La Tour d’Auvergne attributed them to druidic gatherings. Since then, they have been interpreted as representing stars in the sky and, more recently, with having actual astronomical significance. Current theories suggest that they may possibly have been used as an astronomical observatory. While we might never know what their original function was, one thing we can agree on is that they mark the landscape in a very significant way.

Видео 10 AMAZING Megalithic Structures! Largest, Ancient Structures in the World! автора Озеро-адреналин: экстрим и эмоции