A single, vertical standing stone; any prehistoric structure consisting of a tall, upright megalith (“huge stone”). The name is from the Old Breton men, meaning “stone,” and hir, meaning “long.” Menhirs occur in all parts of the world where megalithic monuments are known, but they are particularly profuse in prehistoric Europe. Menhirs are difficult to date, but in Ireland and southwest England a few examples mark burials dating from the Neolithic to the Middle or Late Bronze Age. A similar or slightly earlier date is attested for some of the Breton menhirs. In all these areas, a few of the stones bear cup marks. Such a megalith is often isolated, erected by a family or tribe as a memorial stone for some deceased hero or some great event. It may have been a religious object for worship like the American Indian totem pole. Other are associated with dolmens, tumuli, and circles of stones. Menhirs may occur singly, in rows (alignments), or in enclosures (stone circles). Anthropomorphic examples are known as statue-menhirs.
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