Medieval British didn't recognize megaliths as human-made until 16th century. Until the 16th century, most people in Britain didn't recognize prehistoric stone structures as being made by human beings Stonehenge was seen as unique and clearly made by human hands, attributed to Merlin by Geoffrey of Monmouth Barrowes with megalithic chambers were recognized as burial mounds because human bones and grave goods were found in them
Until the 16th century most Britons thought stone circles were natural—only Stonehenge was seen as human-made (attributed to Merlin in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 1136 Historia Regum Britanniae). Barrows were recognized as burial mounds because human bones and grave goods were found in them. In the 17th century, antiquarians like John Aubrey began recognizing Avebury as ancient human monuments—though some locals still viewed isolated standing stones as natural features.
Key Facts
- Until the 16th century, most people in Britain didn't recognize prehistoric stone structures as being made by human beings
- Stonehenge was seen as unique and clearly made by human hands, attributed to Merlin by Geoffrey of Monmouth
- Barrowes with megalithic chambers were recognized as burial mounds because human bones and grave goods were found in them
- Standing stones were regarded as natural features, not monuments
- In the 17th century, people around Avebury regarded the stones and avenues as natural phenomena
- Medieval people divided monuments into categories: Stonehenge (unique/human-made), barrows (burial mounds), and standing stones (natural features)
Related site: Avebury — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Prof. Ronald Hutton | A History of Megaliths | Megalithomania Conference 2007 | Audio by MegalithomaniaUK