What Is a Megalith Art History?

Art|Art History

Megalith art history is the study of ancient monuments and artifacts that were created by prehistoric societies. It is a study of how these societies lived and interacted with their environment and how they used their art to express themselves.

The term megalthic art is derived from the Greek word “mega” meaning large or great, and “lithos” meaning stone. This term was coined by the French archaeologist, Théophile Corret in 1867.

Megalithic art typically refers to large stone sculptures or constructions found throughout Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. These monuments are believed to have been created by ancient people as memorials or commemorative sites for important events.

Some of these sites are thought to be burial grounds as well. Common elements of megalithic art include standing stones, circles, cairns, menhirs (single standing stones), and dolmens (stone structures).

The most common type of megalithic art is rock carvings such as petroglyphs (figures carved on rocks) and pictographs (drawings made on rocks). Rock carvings are found throughout Europe but are most prevalent in Scandinavia where the Sami people have created a vast number of petroglyphs depicting their culture and beliefs. Other types of megalithic art include pottery, jewelry, ritual objects such as amulets and charms, metalwork such as swords and axes, and stonework such as masonry.

Megalithic art has been used for centuries to commemorate important events or mark special occasions. In some cases it has also been used to commemorate religious beliefs or spiritual connections with the land. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, megalithic art often has symbolic meaning that can help us better understand ancient cultures.

Conclusion

What Is a Megalith Art History? Megalith art history is the study of ancient monuments and artifacts that were created by prehistoric societies in order to express themselves through their artwork. It consists of large stone sculptures or constructions that often had symbolic meanings associated with them, as well as other forms of artwork such as rock carvings, pottery, jewelry, metalwork, and stonework.