trilithon

monument

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July 17, 2026

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Stonehenge Trilithons of Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England.

A trilithon is an ancient monument constructed from three large stones: two upright stones supporting a third stone laid horizontally across the top as a lintel. These structures are a type of megalith, which are large stones used in prehistoric monuments from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.12

The term "trilithon" comes from Greek, meaning "of three stones". While the exact purpose of these monuments is not fully understood, they are found in various ancient sites, with Stonehenge being a famous example that features trilithons as part of its complex circular arrangement. A bilith is a similar prehistoric monument composed of two stones, typically forming a pillar capped by a slab.1234

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Stonehenge
Second stage: 2640–2480 bce
…horseshoe-shaped setting of five tall trilithons (paired uprights with a lintel)—the central and largest of which is known as the giant trilithon—surrounded by 30 uprights linked by curved lintels to form a circle. The stones appear to have been laid out systematically in units and subunits of the long foot;…
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…horseshoe-shaped setting of five tall trilithons (paired uprights with a lintel)—the central and largest of which is known as the giant trilithon—surrounded by 30 uprights linked by curved lintels to form a circle. The stones appear to have been laid out systematically in units and subunits of the long foot;…
Read More