cromlechs

A cromlech, plural cromlechs, is a term used for certain prehistoric stone arrangements found in Europe. The name has regional variation in meaning: in parts of Britain and Brittany it is commonly used for tomb structures formed by large vertical stones supporting a horizontal capstone (often called dolmens), whereas in other contexts cromlech may describe a circle of standing stones. Because of this diversity, cromlechs can refer to chamber tombs, stone circles, or both.

Most cromlechs belong to the late Neolithic to early Bronze Age and are part of the broader European megalithic tradition. Typical forms include dolmen-type tombs, with a chamber accessed by a short passage, and circular or oval stone rings composed of upright stones set in a perimeter. In some sites the architecture combines elements of both tomb and circle, and later alterations or reuse by different communities are known from the same location.

Geographically, cromlechs are especially associated with the Atlantic façade of Europe. They are well represented in Brittany, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England, with related monuments found in parts of Portugal and Spain. Materials range from local sandstone to granite, and the size of stones can vary from modest uprights to monumental blocks.

Purpose and interpretation continue to be refined by archaeology. Cromlechs are generally understood as burial and ceremonial spaces, possibly reflecting territorial markers, ancestor veneration, or communal rites. Excavations often recover human remains, pottery, or grave goods, contributing to knowledge of social structure and ritual practice in prehistoric communities.