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Atrilithon ortrilith[1] is a structure consisting of two large vertical stones (posts) supporting a third stone set horizontally across the top (lintel). It is commonly used in the context ofmegalithic monuments. The most famous trilithons are those ofStonehenge inEngland.
The wordtrilithon is derived fromGreek 'having three stones' (τρι-tri- 'three' + λίθοςlíthos 'stone') and was first used in its modern archaeological sense byWilliam Stukeley.
Other famous trilithons include those found in theMegalithic temples of Malta (which like Stonehenge are aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site), theOsireion in Egypt, and theHaʻamonga ʻa Maui inTonga,Polynesia. The term is also used to describe the groups of three stones in theHunebed tombs of theNetherlands.
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