dolmen architecture
Introduction
A dolmen, which in Breton means 'large stone table', is a megalithic construction generally consisting of several slabs (orthostats) nailed into the ground in a vertical position and one or more slabs, as a cover, resting on them in a horizontal position. The set forms a chamber and is surrounded in many cases by a pile of supporting earth or stones that partially cover the vertical slabs, forming an artificial hill or mound, distinguishable as a funerary mark.
These structures were built during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic and occur in Western Europe, especially in the Atlantic strip, where they number in the thousands. Its attributed function is usually that of a collective sepulchre, but it is also believed that it may be a way of claiming a territory and reinforcing group identity, given the little identity of the Neolithic towns in transit to the Chalcolithics and which prepared the cities of the Bronze Age.
The simple models of dolmens consist of two or more vertical stones (nadir) and on top of it a horizontal one (azimuth), an exercise in unparalleled monumental construction skill. It is generally accompanied by other large stones in the surroundings.
When a corridor is added to the dolmen that connects it with the outside, it is called a corridor tomb in the manner of an avenue to parade the funeral procession, whose chamber can be built with orthostats (large slabs) by means of a false dome made with stone slabs "Laja (rock)") or have been excavated in the rock. It is the first example of constructive skill when moving enormous blocks with the challenge of keeping the structure up.
A third type of megalithic tomb is the gallery tomb, later, in which the corridor is not differentiated from the chamber, and which sometimes has pillars, prototype of the later columns in the temples, in order to support the heavy covers.
Places with dolmens
Asia
Most of the known dolmens are found on the Korean Peninsula.[1] It is estimated that there are 35,000 dolmens in Korea, which is almost 40% of all those in the world.[2].
Most are located in the western coastal area of South Korea, an area that would become the headquarters of the Mahan confederacy, one of three "Han" proto-states reunited in the ancient kingdom of Baekje. There are three UNESCO World Heritage sites named Koch'ang, Hwasun and Kanghwa Dolmen Sites that have more than 1,000 dolmens. Those of Hwasun are estimated to have been erected around 3000 BC. C.[3].