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Megalithic Visions
January 4, 2021
Yoke-symbol

Yoke-symbol

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 …

January 4, 2021
Megalithic art in Brittany

Megalithic art in Brittany

Elizabeth Shee Twohig has coined the term Megalithic art in her study of ‘The Megalithic Art of Western Europe’ [1]. Her original definition of Megalithic art focussed on paintings or carvings found on the structural elements, like the kerbstones, orthostats, or capstones of megalithic tombs, but recent investigations have included decorations on Stelae and Menhirs. …

January 2, 2021
Gavrins cairn

Gavrins cairn

This extraordinary monument is the longest passage tomb in Brittany: 11.8 m long, 2 m high and only 1.5 m wide. No finds were recorded from excavations. When entering the tomb it becomes immediately apparent that is a special place and different to any of the other tombs nearby. The stones of the passage and …

January 2, 2021
Original number of megalithic tombs in Germany

Original number of megalithic tombs in Germany

Many megalithic tombs have been destroyed over the centuries and the remaining buildings represent only a fraction of the original number. E. Sprockhoff [1] listed 900 for German Empire in 1938. Today this number is around 1,350 for that area. In Denmark today 2,067 tombs are known on an area roughly half the size than …

A neurologically generated tiered cosmos

A neurologically generated tiered cosmos

June 16, 2018

The concept of a tiered cosmos is important for an understanding of the meaning of megalithic structures. The Greek word cosmos is not just another term of what we today call the universe. Moreover it refers to the sum of experiences of a society. That includes the physical world, but also religious concepts. An important …

Entoptic Phenomena

Entoptic Phenomena

June 3, 2018

Entoptic phenomena (or just entoptics) are visual sensations that occur in the human visual system itself without external stimuli. That means the sensations can be observed even with closed eyes. The figure below gives some examples of the entoptic phenomena. These are usually simple geometric patterns, like lines, grids or nets, dots, zigzags and spirals. …

June 2, 2018
Yoke-symbol – or Horns

Yoke-symbol – or Horns

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 …

June 1, 2018
Spiral

Spiral

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 …

June 1, 2018
Mané Rutual symbol

Mané Rutual symbol

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 …

May 31, 2018
Crossed circle or Wheeled-cross

Crossed circle or Wheeled-cross

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 …

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