The word megalith comes from the Greek megas (great) and lithos (stone), and the family of megalithic monuments is broad. A menhir is a single standing stone, sometimes reaching several metres in height. Dolmens — also called portal tombs or quoits — consist of large capstones balanced on upright supports, creating a chamber beneath. Henges are circular earthworks defined by a bank and internal ditch, sometimes containing stone or timber settings.
Passage tombs, such as Newgrange in Ireland or Maeshowe in Orkney, combine a long entrance corridor with an internal chamber, often aligned to a solar or lunar event. Cursus monuments are elongated parallel earthworks whose function is still poorly understood, while cairns are mounds of loose stone that may cover burial chambers or serve as landmarks.
Recognising these distinctions matters because each type reflects different beliefs, social structures, and relationships with the landscape. A dolmen built to receive the bones of ancestors tells a different story from a henge designed for ceremonial gathering. By learning the vocabulary of megaliths, you develop the literacy needed to read these ancient places more thoughtfully.