European Megaliths, Religion, and Power

European megalithic structures, such as Stonehenge and the Megaliths of Carnac, reveal complex social hierarchies and religious practices that emerged during the Neolithic period. These monuments, including menhirs, passage graves, and henge monuments, were likely constructed by organized communities with advanced labor coordination. Archaeological evidence from sites like Durrington Walls suggests a link between megalithic construction and agricultural societies, where ancestor veneration played a significant role in legitimizing elite power. The study combines typological analysis of megaliths with historical context to argue that religion was instrumental in shaping social control and governance structures.

Steadman, S. R. (2023). European Megaliths, Religion, and Power. The Archaeology of Religion, 139–156. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003216353-11