Megalithic art refers to the use of large stones as an artistic medium. Although some modern artists and sculptors make use of large stones in their work, the term is more generally used to describe art carved onto megaliths in prehistoric Europe. Megalithic tomb, Mane Braz, Brittany Bronze age wedge tomb in the Burren area of Ireland For the record label, see Megalith Records. ... // Paleolithic Lower Paleolithic: Europe was populated by species of Homo since c. ...

Megalithic art is found in many places in Western Europe although the main concentrations are in Ireland, Brittany and Iberia. Megalithic art started in the Neolithic and continued into the Bronze Age. Although many monument types received this form of art the majority is carved on Neolithic passage graves. Megalithic art tends to be highly abstract and contains relatively few representations of recognisable real objects. Megalithic art is often similar to prehistoric rock art and contains many similar motifs such as the 'cup and ring mark', although the two forms of rock carving also have large stylistic differences. The meaning of megalithic art is the subject of much debate. A common understanding of Western Europe in modern times. ... Brittany has an expansive coastline Historical province of Brittany Flag of Brittany (Gwenn-ha-du) région of Bretagne, see Bretagne. ... Iberia can mean: The Iberian peninsula of South west Europe; That part of it once inhabited by the Iberians, who spoke the Iberian language. ... An array of Neolithic artifacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools. ... The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ... A passage tomb near the town of Sligo in Ireland A Passage grave (sometimes hyphenated) or Passage tomb is a tomb, usually dating to the Neolithic, where the burial chamber is reached along a distinct, and usually low, passage. ... Rock art is a term in archaeology for any man-made markings made on natural stone. ...

Weathering and vandalism have affected many examples of the art and little of it remains to day. Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks, soils and their minerals through direct contact with the atmosphere. ...

New Grange entrance stone with megalithic art. Boyne Valley, Ireland

Image File history File links The entrance slab to Newgrange tomb, Ireland File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links The entrance slab to Newgrange tomb, Ireland File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Newgrange, Ireland Larger Version Newgrange (Irish Brú na Bóinne), located in County Meath is the most famous of all Irish prehistoric sites. ...

Ireland

Ireland has the largest concentration of megalithic art in Europe, particularly in the Boyne Valley. This art form appears to be entirely abstract and is perhaps the most famous with its well known multiple-spirals. It is believed that much of this artwork is entoptically derived from induced states of altered consciousness (Dronfield 1993). Stylistically the art of Ireland is similar to occasional finds in nearby Wales and the Scottish Isles. Boyne Valley Township is a township located in Charlevoix County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... For a medical definition please see Entoptic phenomenon In archaeology entoptic phenomena relates to any visual experience derived from within the eye or brain (as oppose to externally, as per normal vision). ... An altered state of consciousness is any state which is significantly different from a normative waking beta wave state. ... This article is about the country. ... Motto: (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity(English) Wha daur meddle wi me? (Scots)[1] Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots[2] Government  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I...

Brittany

Brittany has the second highest concentration of megalithic art. The earliest examples in this area are with anthropomorphic representations on menhirs which later continued in passage graves. Brittany shares some motifs with both Ireland and Iberia and the level of contact between them has always been debated. Only a few sites in Brittany are thought to have the same entoptic source as those in Ireland. Anthropomorphism, also referred to as personification or prosopopeia, is the attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, forces of nature, and others. ... A menhir at Carnac, Brittany A menhir is a large, single upright standing stone (monolith or megalith), of prehistoric European origin. ...

Iberia

Iberian megalithic art contains the most number of realistic representations of objects, although there is also a strong abstract element. Iberia is the only place to have painted decoration as well as carved. Other areas may also have originally been painted, but Iberia's arid climate lends itself to preservation of the paint.The paint (as it currently survives) is normally restricted to black and red, although occasionally features white as well.

References

• Dronfield, J. 1995. “Subjective Visions and the Source of Irish Megalithic Art.” in Antiquity 69, pp539-549
• Shee Twohig, E. 1981. Megalithic Art of Western Europe. Oxford: Clarendon Press

External links

• Dolmenes y megalitos del mundo
• Menhires del mundo