Arthur's Stone and the legend of the giant

Arthur's Stone is a Neolithic dolmen believed to be 5,000 years old. The tomb is topped by a large capstone which is broken with a large section fallen from its underside. The capstone rests on nine upright stones and weights more than 25 tonnes. These stones were once part of the inner chamber and they were once covered by a long earthen mound.

It's unlikely that the monument was built solely as a tomb. It's believed that the Neolithic people could have gathered at the cairn to worship their ancestors. The tomb has never been excavated, but similar examples in this region have been found to contain human skeletal remains.

Like many prehistoric monuments, Arthur's Stone has been linked to King Arthur. According to the legend, Arthur slew a giant on this spot. It's believed that the giant left the impression of his elbows on one of the stones as he fell.

Arthur's Stone is situated on a hill near the village of Dorstone in England.




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