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Archaeologists are studying how ancient engineers moved gigantic stones, comparable to the weight of two Boeing 747s, to build an impressive monument.
With a history dating back 5.600 years, the Dolmen of Menga, located in southern Spain, it is an impressive monument that defies comprehension Modern on the capabilities of Neolithic engineers.
This megalithic monument is made up of 32 colossal stones, each many times larger than those used at Stonehenge, another iconic Stone Age wonder.
The largest of these stones weighs approximately 150 metric tons – the equivalent of the weight of a blue whale. In total, the set of megaliths weighs an impressive 1.140 tons.
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"I often tell my students that the total weight is more than that of two Boeing 747s loaded with fuel and passengers.s”, explains Leonardo García Sanjuán, professor of prehistory at the University of Seville and co-author of a recent study on the monument.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, presents the surprisingly sophisticated technological advances used to build the dolmen.
Millimeter precision and sophisticated engineering
The Menga Dolmen has impressive dimensions: 25 meters long and 5 meters wide at its widest point.
The study revealed that the vertical stones forming the monument's walls were carefully tilted at a uniform angle of 84 to 85 degrees, making the roof narrower than the floor.
This precision required tools such as plumb lines and set squares, demonstrating an advanced knowledge of geometry.
Mike Parker-Pearson, a professor at University College London, highlighted that “the precision of the angles is millimetric”, comparing the arrangement of the stones to a jigsaw puzzle. Tetris.
Each stone was fitted to support the others, forming a cohesive structure. A revealing detail of the study shows that the vertical stones were embedded in the ground up to a third of their height, likely the result of the use of counterweights to ensure stability.
Construction in complex stages
To build the dolmen, Neolithic engineers followed a step-by-step process. First, they excavated deep foundations for the upright stones, using counterweights to lift them. Then, they placed five huge capstones on the roof, transforming the structure into a closed chamber. Finally, the inner rock was carved to form the desired interior space.
After the structure was completed, the monument was covered with a mound of earth. This covering not only protected the chamber from cold and moisture, but also provided additional support, acting as a straitjacket to increase stability.
Purpose and meaning
Although the exact function of the Menga Dolmen is not fully understood, it is believed to have served as both a temple and a tomb. Few archaeological remains have been found at the site, but its robust construction suggests a desire for permanence.
According to Parker-Pearson, these stone monuments were often associated with the idea of eternity, housing the dead and connecting the living to their ancestors.
Another aspect is the dolmen's resistance to seismic activity. Located in a seismically active region, the monument was designed to withstand possible earthquakes, demonstrating the geological knowledge of its builders.
Transport of giant stones
One intriguing question is how Neolithic engineers transported such massive stones. Recent research has identified a quarry about 850 meters from the monument as the source of the stones. Favorable topography allowed the stones to be moved down a gentle slope.
The researchers suggest that the builders created a rudimentary road to minimize friction, using wooden posts or planks spaced on the ground. The stones were transported on wooden sleds, pulled by large ropes.
The precise orientation of the monument also suggests that the construction was meticulously planned, with the axis of the stones aligned along a descending path.
Neolithic science
The study of the Menga Dolmen offers a fascinating insight into Neolithic science. Despite living in a time when tools were made of stone and there was no written language, these people demonstrated a profound knowledge of physics, geometry and geology.
García Sanjuán emphasized: “These people understood the properties of rocks and the principles of friction and angles. This is pure science.”
In a context in which agriculture was just beginning to take hold, the Menga Dolmen stands out as an example of creative genius and technological advancement. According to García Sanjuán, “a modern engineer probably wouldn't be able to replicate this structure with the resources that existed 6.000 years ago".
This monumental work remains one of the greatest marvels of Neolithic engineering, perpetuating a legacy that continues to inspire and intrigue researchers and historians around the world.
