Pedra 9

WHAT ARE MENHIRS?

Menhirs are big standing stones. The name menhir derives from the Breton meaning standing stone.

The use of menhirs is a controversial topic difficult to define. The scholars think they were stones that marked the limits of a territory where human groups lived or they marked tombs or important sites for the community. Some say that they could be part of religious ceremonies.

At El Port de la Selva only one laying menhir has been found. It was discovered in 2008 under the name of Santa Helena Menhir. It is located 60m south-west of the middle-aged village of Santa Creu de Rodes. The top of this stone has been carved to end in a pointed shape. It is 2,40m high, 0,80m wide and 0,22m thick.

For its location and proximity, it can be associated to the dolmen and paradolmen de la Pallera. Therefore, it is dated in a similar age, IV-III millennia BC

In some points there are menhir groups that form a rather circular shape, named cromlech.  Their function is unknown, although it is thought that it could be related to astronomy rituals. In this territory none has been found.