56 Items Tagged

Standing Stones

Lamlash Stone Circle

The remains of prehistoric monument make this place feel secluded, as if history wants to tell you something.

Esperance, Australia

Esperance Stonehenge

This is a full-scale replica of a complete Stonehenge made from locally quarried Esperance granite.

Björketorp Runestone

In the Swedish forest stands a stone with a deadly inscription, promising ruin and death to whoever disturbs it.

Plouarzel, France

Menhir de Kerloas

This might be the world’s tallest Bronze Age standing stone.

Locmariaquer, France

Broken Menhir of Er Grah

The largest stone moved during the Stone Age once stood proudly in France.

Blieskastel, Germany

Gollenstein

After Nazi forces smashed this 4,000-year-old Neolithic standing stone, locals banded together to restore it.

Lochgilphead, Scotland

Stane Alane Standing Stone

A mysterious solitary standing stone from the Neolithic period.

The Cuckoo Stone

Wiltshire, England

The Cuckoo Stone

This neolithic stone was once used for ceremonial practices similar to its neighbor Stonehenge.

One of the Twelve Stone faces.

Torrig, Denmark

Dodekalitten

An air of mystery pervades this modern-day singing Stonehenge.

Carn Goedog

Eglwyswrw, Wales

Carn Goedog

This rocky outcrop served as a quarry for some of the bluestones that sit at the center of Stonehenge.

Strichen stone circle

Strichen, Scotland

Strichen Stone Circle

This ancient monument has been dissembled and put back together at least twice.

Looking in from the gap left by the missing stone

Duddo Five Stones

There were once more than five stones in this ancient monument.

Torhouse Stone Circle at sunset

Wigtown, Scotland

Torhouse Stone Circle

A circle made up of 19 boulders has stood in Scotland's Bladnoch Valley for some 4,000 years.

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

standing stones

Puzzle Monday: Deciphering Ireland's Ancient Standing Stones

Alex Bellos May 9, 2022

Glenquicken Stone Circle in the mist

Creetown, Scotland

Glenquicken Stone Circle

A gap marks the spot where a now-missing stone once completed the circular arrangement at this Neolithic site.

Drumtroddan Standing Stones

Mochrum, Scotland

Drumtroddan Standing Stones

These stones date back to the 3rd or 2nd millennium B.C.

Livingston, Scotland

Livingston Stone Circle

Scotland is filled with standing stones that date back hundreds or thousands of years. This is not one of them.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Huly Hill

If you fly into Edinburgh Airport, it's possible to spot this prehistoric site without even getting off the plane.