Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
formal idea is that Megalithic construction connotes elements standing upright in
the ground or spanning these elements as slabs (cap stones). Essentially it excludes
stone masonry built up of compact units set one on the other (e.g. in courses).
However when considered historically this formal distinction is not absolute and
breaks down.
h e i rst thing to be said (and most emphatically) is that the site developments
and installations for ancient megalithic building were highly evolved, both in scale
and ambit. h ey established a system of handling the heaviest of building units,
which has never been relegated from use (on emergency occasions). And it is
probably fair to say that the system has never been put into ef ect more ei ciently
and comprehensively (F.C. Atkinson,
Neolithic Engineering
; J. Osenton, “Neolithic
Engineering Techniques”).
To facilitate a brief survey, megalithic construction can be divided usefully into
two classes: that where earthworks form an integral part of the i nished construc-
tion, and that where earthworks are not part of the i nished construction. Examples
of the former class are dolmens / barrows; while examples of the latter are stand-
ing stones (menhirs), stone circles (cromlechs) and Maltese temples. h ere were
two mechanical devices available to Megalith builders: the inclined plane and the
lever—and they exploited them both to astounding ef ect. h e inclined plane was
fashioned by earthworks, and the levering to height proceded by chocking and
cribbing with wooden members.
As a matter of course earthen ramps and embankments were utilised when the
design of the monument under construction included an earthen component. h e
concern here was with the dolmen (= stone table)—a stone compartment formed
from great slabs (for the sides as well as the roof ). h e remains of these structures,
still standing in numbers at er 5,000 years or so, evoke wonder today. However
these visible remains are an “inside out” phenomenon. Originally they formed
chambers inside an earth tumulus (the Neolithic chamber tombs, passage graves,
round barrows, long barrows etc.) where the enveloping earth has disappeared in
the course of time.
h e process of construction of these monuments is obvious. h e incipient, earth-
ern tumulus was heaped up to a suitable height, trenches were dug to accomodate
the feet of the upstanding slabs and these slabs were hauled up the sloping earth
base i rst to be eased down into position standing upright in the trenches. h ey
were then strutted securely or better the enclosed chamber was i lled with rammed
earth. h e surrounding earth tumulus was then raised to the height of the cham-
ber roof and the capstones were hauled up the bank and then across into position
covering the chamber. h e chamber was then cleared of its temporary strutting or
i lling and the earthern tumulus heaped up over it to enclose it completely.
Developed
site instal-
lations
required
153, 154
153, 154
155, 157
57-59
154
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