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Which Period Are Megalithic Structures Associated With?

Megaliths are structures, typically large, that are made of huge pieces of rock. The best known megaliths in the world are the statues of Easter Island, the Great Pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge, and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. These structures were built in a span over approximately 4,000 years, suggesting that megaliths were common structures from the Neolithic period, around 3,000 B.C., to about 1,400 to 1,600 A.D.
  1. Easter Island Heads

    • The Easter Island statues, also known as Moai, are a series of giant megaliths shaped like human heads atop undersized torsos that face away from the ocean. It is widely believed they were erected between 1,400 and 1,600 A.D. Experts suggest that the objects represent the spirits of past chiefs or political figures of tribes on Easter Island. As of June 2011, 887 different heads have been discovered. Only 32 percent of these structures found on Easter Island have been placed in what are thought to be their intended location. The rest were either abandoned or never left their quarries.

    The Great Pyramids of Giza

    • Built approximately 4,500 years ago, the Great Pyramids of Giza are the only extant example of the original Seven Wonders of the ancient world. One particular pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, was the tallest structure in the world until the 19th century. The Great Pyramids are some of the heaviest megaliths in the world, with nearly 2,3000,000 blocks of stone, each weighing 2.5 tons. Today, it is widely believed that the pyramids were built as tombs for ancient Egypt's pharaohs.

    Stonehenge

    • Stonehenge is a large megalithic structure that stands in a field two miles west of Amesbury, a town in southern England. The main part of the structure was built between 3,100 and 2,300 B.C. The structure is circular in shape and has a diameter of 330 feet. The purpose of Stonehenge was not understood until the 18th century. William Stukeley, a British scientist, noticed that portions of the structure lined up directly with the summer solstice sunrise. More connections between the sun and the megalith were uncovered, suggesting it was created to be a temple to an ancient people's sun god. More recently, connections between the moon and the structure were found, suggesting Stonehenge was used as an early astronomical calendar.

    Pyramid of the Sun and Moon

    • Built in 2 A.D., the Pyramid of the Sun and neighboring Pyramid of the Moon were built as monuments to the birth of the sun and moon gods of ancient Mexican peoples. According to ancient folklore, this was the area where deceased people became gods. These two temples were built near the city of Teotihuacan, which at its height had a population around 100,000. When they were originally built, the pyramids were covered with plaster and red paint. Today, both coverings have eroded away or faded, leaving a dull, stone-colored appearance.


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