http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom Find out more about the massive man-made structures from the Neolithic era which remain scattered across the landscape of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. en Copyright 2013, History.com Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-25T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo1 Also known as the Druid's Altar, Dromberg is the most visited megalithic site in Ireland. Excavations in the 1950s revealed a wealth of material at the site including prehistoric huts, cooking areas and the cremated remains of a young adolescent, which date the circle to between 945 and 830 BC. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo2 Portal tombs, known as dolmens, were single-chamber tombs constructed during the Neolithic period. Today it is generally believed that they were used as burial tombs, though research continues. Brownshill dates from between 4000 and 3000 B.C. and features a 100-ton capstone, the heaviest in Europe. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo3 Located in County Down in Northern Ireland, the Legananny Dolmen has been dated to the Neolithic period and is believed to be nearly 5,000 years old. The megalith's name is thought to be a translation from a phrase meaning "Pillar of Enya," a reference to an Irish goddess. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo4 Consisting of three granites stones, including a central stone with its center hollowed out, Man-an-Tol was possibly part of an ancient calendar or served as the entrance to a tomb. Today, local legend holds that passing through the hole in the center stone can cure diseases and increase fertility. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo5 At a height of 25 feet, Rudston is the tallest standing stone in the UK. Its builders are believed to have transported the 40-ton stone to its current location around 1600 B.C. A church later built near the monolith is the likely source of its name, which means "cross-stone" in Old English. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo6 One of the most common ancient megalithic structures was the passage grave, which included a center chamber, slabbed roof and long passageway, all covered by a mound of earth. Europe's largest collection of these is at Bru na Boinne, Ireland, which has been dated to as early as 3500 B.C. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo7 The most recognizable megalithic structures are stone circles, which were constructed during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages. Archeologists have identified more than 1,000 examples in the British Isles, including Avebury, the largest in the world, located just 24 miles north of Stonehenge. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo8 Constructed around 2600 B.C., Avebury consists of a large outer earthwork ditch (or henge) surrounding a large outer circle that once held nearly 100 sarsen stones, along with two smaller circles made of 30 stones each. Experts believe it would have taken more than 1.5 million man-hours to build. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo9 Located less than 2 miles from the stone circles at Avebury, West Kennet is one of the largest surviving and best-preserved examples of a Neolithic barrow, or chambered burial mound. Construction on the barrow predates work on Stonehenge, and it was likely in use for more than 1,000 years. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo10 The northernmost stone circle in Britain, the Ring of Brogdar originally consisted of 60 stones, of which 27 remain, set within a circular ditch 1,250 feet in circumference. Scientific dating of the site has proved inconclusive; but it is believed to have been built between 2500 and 2000 B.C. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo10 http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo11 The most famous-and one of the largest-megalithic structures in the world is located near Salisbury, England. Constructed in multiple stages between 3000 and 1500 B.C., Stonehenge marked the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age. http://www.history.com/photos/neolithic-structures-in-the-ireland-and-the-united-kingom/photo11