What is a Menhir?

About Menhir:

• A menhir is a large upright standing stone.
• Menhirs may be found singly as monoliths, or as part of a group of similar stones.
• They are widely distributed across Europe, Africa, and Asia, but are most numerous in Western Europe.
• Their size can vary considerably; but their shape is generally uneven and squared, often tapering towards the top. 
• Often menhirs were placed together, forming circles, semicircles, or vast ellipses.
• Megalithic menhirs were also placed in several parallel rows, called alignments. The most famous of these are the Carnac, France, alignments, which include 2,935 menhirs. 
• They are sometimes engraved with abstract forms (line, spiral) or with objects' images like axes.
• Identifying the uses of menhirs remains speculation. However, it is likely that many uses involved fertility rites and seasonal cycles.