monoliths

A monolith is a large single block of stone that forms a natural feature or a constructed monument. The term derives from the Greek monos, meaning single, and lithos, meaning stone. In common usage, it refers to any substantial object formed from one piece, especially a large upright stone.

Natural monoliths are geological formations that exist as a single massive block of rock. They can form when erosion takes a single large mass intact, or when a rock intrusion resists weathering more than surrounding material. Famous natural monoliths include Uluru (Ayers Rock) in central Australia and Mount Augustus in Western Australia, both described as single, dominant masses.

Artificial monoliths are monuments created from a single block of stone or erected from one block. Obelisks, carved from a single quarry block and transported to their site, are classic examples. Other large statues or architectural features, such as certain monolithic columns or stone statues carved from one block, are described as monolithic. In archaeology, the term is often used for standing stones (menhirs) or other single-stone monuments.

Monoliths often carry cultural, religious, or ceremonial significance and are widely distributed around the world. Many are protected as heritage sites. The concept also appears in modern language to describe large, undivided units in architecture and technology, emphasizing unity and mass rather than assembly from multiple parts.