• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

5700-year-old Menga Dolmen is a marvel of Neolithic engineering, study reveals

by Dario Radley
December 6, 2023

A team of archaeologists, geologists, and historians from various Spanish institutions has uncovered the remarkable engineering prowess behind the Menga Dolmen, an ancient burial mound near Antequera, Málaga, Spain.

5700-year-old Menga Dolmen is a marvel of Neolithic engineering, study reveals
Artistic representation of quarrying activities for the extraction the capstone C-5 in Cerro de la Cruz Quarry, Drawing: Moisés Bellilty under guidance of José Antonio Lozano Rodríguez and Leonardo García Sanjuán. Credit: Rodríguez et al., Scientific Reports (2023).

Published in Scientific Reports, the research explores the intricate engineering behind this Neolithic burial mound, revealing it as one of the most remarkable achievements of its time, dating back approximately 5,700 years.

The Menga Dolmen, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as one of Europe’s largest megalithic structures, captivating researchers with its colossal stones, some exceeding 100 tons in weight. The recent study employed cutting-edge technology, including petrographic and stratigraphic analyses, to delve into the composition, origin, and construction methods of these monumental stones.

Geological investigations pinpointed the source of the stones to the Cerro de la Cruz quarries, approximately 1 km away from the construction site. Petrological examinations revealed that the stones were predominantly calcarenites, a type of soft sedimentary rock. This particular choice of material, considered fragile in modern terms, underscores the engineering challenges faced by ancient builders.

5700-year-old Menga Dolmen is a marvel of Neolithic engineering, study reveals
Overview of Menga, Viera, Los Remedios neighbourhood and Cerro de la Cruz from the NE. Credit: Rodríguez et al., Scientific Reports (2023).

Researchers emphasized the complexity involved in transporting these massive stones without causing damage. The study suggests that the Neolithic engineers meticulously planned the movement of stones, requiring not only smooth roads but also the use of scaffolds and ropes for precise placement.

RelatedStories

4,000-year-old cemeteries and rock art reveal forgotten ritual landscape of Morocco’s Tangier Peninsula

4,000-year-old cemeteries and rock art reveal forgotten ritual landscape of Morocco’s Tangier Peninsula

May 14, 2025
5,500-year-old Küsterberg megalithic tomb restored in Germany

5,500-year-old Küsterberg megalithic tomb restored in Germany

May 11, 2025

The heart of the dolmen’s engineering marvel lies in its capstone, weighing an astonishing 150 tons, strategically positioned as the roof of the burial chamber. According to the researchers, “Moving and placing such large stones from Cerro de la Cruz to the hill of Menga must have demanded intensive planning, highly accurate logistics, and enormous labor investments.”

The dolmen’s alignment with nearby mountains served a dual purpose. It not only created intricate light patterns within the chamber but also indicated intentional orientation by its builders. This aligning technique reflects the advanced understanding of astronomy and architectural planning among the ancient engineers.

5700-year-old Menga Dolmen is a marvel of Neolithic engineering, study reveals
(a) Geological map of tectonic jointing on DTM, showing the location of Menga and Viera and the likely quarrying areas at Cerro de la Cruz. (b) Stereographic representation of the groups of joints. (c) Overview of the tectonic fracturing present in quarry areas #2 and #3. (d) Groups of joints observed in Quarry #1. (e) Example of a possible discarded megalithic stone at Quarry #1. Credit: Rodríguez et al., Scientific Reports (2023).

The study also unraveled the ingenious method employed to combat erosion. Stones were interlocked at the chamber’s edges, channeling away water seepage and safeguarding the dolmen from the elements. The construction of a waterproof tumulus further attests to the builders’ deliberate efforts to preserve the soft stones.

Menga’s construction, detailed in the study, stands as a testament to the meticulous planning, labor coordination, technical expertise, and calculations involved in erecting such a colossal structure. According to the researchers, “The woodwork associated with the construction process must have demanded the use of large amounts of timber,” underscoring the multidimensional nature of the Neolithic engineering achievement.

Comparisons with other megalithic sites worldwide, such as Stonehenge and Easter Island, highlight the importance of studying stone provenance for understanding ancient architectural practices. The Menga Dolmen’s unique features, including its colossal stones, intentional orientation, and waterproofing techniques, distinguish it as a pinnacle of megalithic engineering in European prehistory.

More information: Rodríguez, J.A.L., Sanjuán, L.G., Álvarez-Valero, A.M. et al. (2023). The provenance of the stones in the Menga dolmen reveals one of the greatest engineering feats of the Neolithic. Sci Rep 13, 21184. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47423-y
Share1Tweet1ShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe
Archaeology

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe, new research reveals

June 25, 2025
Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history
Archaeology

Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

June 25, 2025
Hidden treasures uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past
Archaeology

Hidden artifacts uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

June 24, 2025
Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network
Archaeology

Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

June 24, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns
Archaeology

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
Viking Age burial near Aarhus linked to Harald Bluetooth’s noble allies unearthed in Denmark
Anthropology

Viking Age burial near Aarhus unearthed with ties to Harald Bluetooth’s noble allies

June 23, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe, new research reveals

June 25, 2025
Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

June 25, 2025
Hidden treasures uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

Hidden artifacts uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

June 24, 2025
Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

June 24, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.