a prehistoric megalithic tomb consisting of a capstone supported by two or more upright stones, most having originally been covered with earth or smaller stones to form a barrow
A stone-age structure consisting of two vertical stones supporting a slab of stone The most well-known dolmens are the "gateways" at Stonehenge, England
(French, from Breton tolmen "hole of stone") A megalithic (large-stone) tomb with one large flat stone laid on several upright stones Dolmens were usually originally covered by an earthen hill or barrow
two or more large upright stones supporting a large flat piece of stone, built in ancient times (tolmen, from tol + men ). Prehistoric monument usually consisting of several large stone slabs set edgewise in the earth to support a flat stone roof, all covered by a mound of earth that in most cases has weathered away. Designed as a burial chamber, the structure is typical of the Neolithic Period in Europe. Dolmens, though found as far east as Japan, are mainly confined to western Europe and northern Africa. See also megalith; menhir
Any Neolithic monument consisting of a large, flat stone supported by two or more rocks (like a table) It used to be believed that such monuments were altars for human sacrifice or cannibal feasts With the advent of modern day grave-robbing and archaeology, dolmen were discovered inside of burial mounds with the supposed meal underneath the table Science concluded that they formed a vault and supposed that exposed versions were either incomplete tombs or windblown remains Cromlechs and dolmen are the same thing, but since French is considered more chíc than Welsh, the latter term is preferred by the scientific community these days
A large boulder resting, typically, on three smaller stones These boulders can range from one ton to many ton monstrosities These constructions are manmade, but who or when is unclear A second style of dolman is glacier created, and is more correctly called a perched rock to differentiate it from a human construction Both, however, often have colored stones placed underneath them like an offering or donation