A prehistoric tomb consisting of upright stones supporting a capstone is called what?

Prepare for the Briar Jones Architecture Appreciation Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Master your exam prep!

Multiple Choice

A prehistoric tomb consisting of upright stones supporting a capstone is called what?

Explanation:
Dolmen describes a tomb built with upright stones supporting a heavy capstone, forming a chamber that was often buried under earth or a mound. The vertical stones create a stable enclosure, and the capstone serves as the roof, making it a distinct megalithic tomb type. This setup is different from a single standing stone (menhir) and from broader terms like the Neolithic period or frame-trabeated construction, which describe timeframes or building methods rather than the tomb itself. So the prehistoric tomb of upright stones with a capstone is a dolmen.

Dolmen describes a tomb built with upright stones supporting a heavy capstone, forming a chamber that was often buried under earth or a mound. The vertical stones create a stable enclosure, and the capstone serves as the roof, making it a distinct megalithic tomb type. This setup is different from a single standing stone (menhir) and from broader terms like the Neolithic period or frame-trabeated construction, which describe timeframes or building methods rather than the tomb itself. So the prehistoric tomb of upright stones with a capstone is a dolmen.

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