Described from finds in Breton megalithic art this symbol is named yoke in literature (e.g. [1]). Locations This symbol can be found in a number of passage tombs in Brittany. A fine example can be found in the passage tomb of the Mané Lud mound in Locmariaquer with eleven ‘yokes’ on one orthostat. Interpretation The … Read more
Described from finds in Breton megalithic art this symbol is named yoke in literature (e.g. [1] ). Locations This symbol can be found in a number of passage tombs in Brittany. A fine example can be found in the passage tomb of the Mané Lud mound in Locmariaquer with eleven ‘yokes’ on one orthostat. Interpretation … Read more
Tri-sprial A spiral is a linear curve that winds around a centre point with increasing distance to that point although it can be also interpreted the other way round. There are examples of spirals in nature, like the shells of snail. It is a very old symbol and was used all over the world. Locations … Read more
This symbol was named after the Mané Rutual (also known as Mané Rutuel or Mané Rethuel) chambered cairn where it was first found. It is also called ‘Mane Rutual axe’ or ‘plough axe’. Locations The symbol is found in a number of megalithic cairns. Although there is believe that some (if not all) carvings are … Read more
This symbol was subject to a shift in meaning. In ancient Greece it was standing for a sphere or globe. The recent meaning in astronomy is the Earth. In the Bronze Age it was associated with the sun. Hence its alternative name: Sun wheel. Locations The symbol can be found in several rock art sites … Read more
Described from finds in Breton megalithic art this symbol is named ‘crook’ in literature (e.g. [1] ). Locations This symbol can be found in a number of passage tombs in Brittany, including Mané Hroeck, Mané Rutual, Mané Lud, Gavrinis. The backstone of the passage tomb ‘Table des Marchands’ in Locmariaquer shows a number of this … Read more
Locations Cup marks are found in many areas of Europe with main concentrations in north/west Europe and the Alps. In Germany and Scandinavia they are found on single rocks and sometimes on capstones of megalithic structures (e.g. Bunsoh). In the north of Britain cup marks are often found together with ring marks (ring and cup … Read more
The circle is the simplest, but also most perfect geometrical shape. All points on the circle have the same distance to the centre. As symbols circles were used in many ways in Neolithic times and are still today, either solely or composed with other elements. Locations In nature circles appear for example in the irises … Read more
Flat ceramic disks were found as votive deposits in TRB monuments and flat graves (Flat grave of Issendorf). Flat ceramic disks are also found in other cultures (Michelsberg, Globular Amphora culture). The disks are often interpreted as bread baking plate. In the passage grave Denghoog on Sylt, Germany a number of votive offerings were found. Amongst … Read more
Bull or ox heads were found associated to many megalithic buildings. Several bull or ox skulls were found in Wiltshire [1]: In the Sherrington earthen long barrow an ox skull together with a deer antler was deposited in a cist of chalk blocks underneath the barrow. In the front of Manton tomb a pit was … Read more
