What does the Bible tell us about Megaliths

• Authors: Arnold Lebeuf
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Megalithic remnants have been the object of numerous studies and constitute one of the most controversial subjects in archaeology. The problem of their function has not yet found agreement among scholars. Archaeologists are usually very careful or critical about any interpretations concerning their religious, social or ritual meanings. The same scientific caution has generally led to ignoring of practices and beliefs found in modern folklore, let alone the biblical text. This is unfortunate, because the Bible is one of the very rare written sources informing us directly about prehistoric or proto-historical periods. Biblical references to the constructions and functions of megalithic monuments are numerous, and if authors have sometimes mentioned them, this has been merely as a simple list of verses without further comment or analysis. In any case, in many places the Bible mentions the construction of megalithic monuments and gives precious information regarding their functions. Why not take them into consideration? The semantic contexts may also lead to further interpretations. Since the subject is complex and extended, this presentation of course only proposes a first approach to the problem, and quotations of the text will very unfortunately have to be reduced drastically.

Keywords

EN

Bible; Megaliths; Gilgal; Passover; Hanukah; Early state

• Publisher: Uniwersytet Jagielloński
• Journal: Studia Religiologica
• Year: 2012
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 37–56

Dates

online

2012-09-20

Contributors

author

Arnold Lebeuf

• Instytut Religioznawstwa UJ

Identifiers

DOI

10.4467/20844077SR.12.003.0795