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Megalithic art refers to art either painted or carved ontomegaliths inprehistoric Europe and found on the structural elements, like the kerbstones, orthostats, or capstones of megalithic tombs,[1] but recent investigations have included decorations onstelae andmenhirs.
Megalithic art is found in many places inWestern Europe although the main concentrations are in England,Malta,Ireland,Brittany andIberia. Megalithic art started in theNeolithic and continued into theBronze Age. Although many monument types received this form of art the majority is carved on Neolithicpassage graves. Megalithic art tends to be highly abstract and contains relatively few representations of recognizable real objects. Megalithic art is often similar to prehistoricrock art and contains many similar motifs such as the 'cup and ring mark', although the two forms of rock carving also have large stylistic differences. The meaning of megalithic art is the subject of much debate.
Weathering and vandalism have affected many examples of the art, and little of it remains today.
Ireland has the largest concentration of megalithic art in Europe, particularly in theBoyne Valley. This art form appears to be entirely abstract and is perhaps the most famous with its well-known multiple-spirals. It has been suggested that much of this artwork isentoptically derived from inducedstates of altered consciousness (Dronfield 1993). Stylistically the art of Ireland is similar to occasional finds in nearbyWales and theScottish Isles. Approximately 70% of Ireland's ancient decorated rocks and stones are to be found in the Boyne Valley (o'Sullivan 1997;19)
The French region ofBrittany has the second highest concentration of megalithic art. The earliest examples in this area are withanthropomorphic representations onmenhirs which later continued in passage graves. Brittany shares some motifs with both Ireland and Iberia and the level of contact between them has always been debated. Among the most famous examples are thepassage grave atGavrinis and theBarnenez mound.
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Iberian megalithic art contains the most number of realistic representations of objects, although there is also a strong abstract element. Iberia is the only place to have painted decoration as well as carved. Other areas may also have originally been painted, but Iberia's dry climate lends itself to preservation of the paint. The paint (as it currently survives) is normally restricted to black and red, although occasionally features white as well.
Megalithic art is extremely rare inCentral Europe. Thegallery grave atZüschen inGermany is an intriguing exception, as it appears to mix motifs known from the west European megalithic tradition with others more familiar fromalpineRock art.
As well as abstract or geometric art, some carvings are considered to represent tools, weapons, animals, human figures, deities or idols. Thegallery graves of theSeine-Oise-Marne culture such as that atCourjeonnet have images of axes, breasts and necklaces carved on their walls.[2] The meaning of some of these is disputed. For instance, some of the tombs in the valley of thePetit Morin in France and elsewhere contain engravings of breasts, noses, hair, and a collar or necklace. These have been described both as deities (occasionally as 'dolmen deities') and as representations of the deceased.[3]