Dictionary:

cromlech

  (krŏm'lĕk')

1. A prehistoric monument consisting of monoliths encircling a mound.
2. A dolmen.

[Welsh : crom, feminine of crwm, arched + llech, stone.]

1. A monument of prehistoric or uncertain date consisting of an enclosure formed by huge stones planted in the ground in a circle.
2. A dolmen.

Preferred Welsh and Cornish word for the pre-historic structure found in all Celtic countries consisting of a large flat stone supported by three or more upright stones; called dolmen in English descriptions of sites in Ireland and Brittany. The word ‘cromlech’ may also describe a dolmen of more circular construction. When the word is borrowed into French usage, it may also describe a squared or circular assemblage of dolmens, as at Carnac in Brittany.

Tutor's tip: This word was used in the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.

A cromlech

Cromlech is a Brythonic word (Breton/Welsh) used to describe prehistoric megalithic structures, where crom means "bent" and llech means "flagstone". The term is now virtually obsolete in archaeology, but remains in use as a colloquial term for two different types of megalithic monument.

In English it usually refers to dolmens, the remains of prehistoric stone chamber tombs. However, it is widely used in French to describe stone circles. Confusingly, some English-speaking archaeologists, such as Aubrey Burl, use this second meaning for cromlech in English too.

In addition, the term is occasionally used to describe more complex examples of megalithic architecture, such as the Almendres Cromlech in Portugal.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Cromlechs

• Crom Dubh

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