At some point we have seen the "Stonehenge" monument, but many did not know the origin or the name of this Megalithic architecture located in the United Kingdom. Like this set of stones, there are also many expressions of megalithism throughout Europe and part of Asia that do not have the same fame, but do have the same importance. Did you think there was no Megalithism in Galicia? In this autonomous community of Spain there are different types of megalithic architecture that are found throughout the community and especially on the Costa da Morte.
What is Megalithism?
They may seem just a meaningless mountain of stones that were placed by someone, but they are really monuments to the deceased and were developed between the V and III BC In Galicia you can see more than 300 of these monuments from different stages of Megalithism, but it is believed that it originated from the Portuguese megalithism. On the other hand, at one point in this third millennium, grave goods began to be used instead of making this type of structure for each person who died. Although the grave goods may be smaller, what really had value was the object with which the deceased was buried. In Galicia, many archaeological finds were made that demonstrated the presence of a large and hierarchical population due to the value of the content of the grave goods. Additionally, some of the megalithic monuments that we can find there are:
- Menhir: In Galicia they are also called "Piedras Fitas" and they are long stones of approximately 2 meters and it is presumed that they were used for funeral rituals for a person.
- Henge: Also known as “lithic cycle” it is a circular structure that consists of a stone border or an external moat that limits this architecture. This type of Megalithic art was used for religious, social, or funeral rituals for multiple members of a tribe.
- mamoa: This is the type of funerary architecture that can be seen the most in Galicia, and it consists mostly of two vertical stones, one horizontal on top, and earth or vegetation to create a type of chamber called "dolmen"..
Megalithism in Costa da Morte
The authorities of this mythical autonomous community realized since 2008 the historical potential that is concentrated in Galicia, and began to buy several of the dolmens that were in the area. On the other hand, in 2018 a proposal was made to carry out the first archaeological park of Megalithism in Galicia. Since there are still no answers on the status of the project, here are some megalithic monuments that you could visit:
- wham: Pedra Vixía and Arca de Piosa
- Cabana de Bergantinos: Dombate
- Vimianzo: Every two Mouros, Pedra Cuberta, Casota de Berdoias, Serramo, recession, and Pedra Moura from Monte Carneo.
It may not seem like a few dolmens, but if you look beyond the Costa da Morte, you can make your own excursion to visit each of the more than 300 megalithic monuments in Galicia
