Der Name des bedeutendsten steinzeitlichen Baudenkmals der Iberischen Halbinsel

A mythical female figure lies at the heart of the name 'Menga,' attributed to the most significant megalithic monument on the Iberian Peninsula, the Cueva de Menga in Antequera (Malaga). This study reveals that the name stems from an anthroponym linked to popular traditions, where medieval Castilian settlers credited this enigmatic figure with constructing dolmens. By analyzing similar place names and archaeological documentation, researchers uncovered a widespread onomastic mechanism rooted in folklore across Iberia and parts of Europe, shedding light on how myth and history intertwine in the naming of prehistoric sites.

Ruhstaller, S. (2015). Der Name des bedeutendsten steinzeitlichen Baudenkmals der Iberischen Halbinsel. Namenkundliche Informationen, 283–298. https://doi.org/10.58938/ni537