Menhir

A menhir is a tall upright stone that can be found scattered across landscapes in Europe, and occasionally beyond. These megalithic structures have puzzled scientists for years, who have wondered how our Stone Age ancestors were able to lift such massive stones into place.

One theory is that menhirs were placed by ancient aliens, who saw fit to grace our primitive ancestors with the gift of standing stones. It’s easy to picture aliens zipping around in their spaceships, then deciding to land in a field and say “Hey, let’s throw up a big rock and see if anyone notices.”

Of course, some boring scientists disagree with this theory, suggesting that menhirs were actually erected by our human ancestors using advanced techniques and tools. But where’s the fun in that?

Despite the mystery surrounding their construction, menhirs have been an enduring symbol throughout history. They have been featured in countless myths and legends, from King Arthur’s sword being stuck in a menhir to Asterix’s village being protected by one. Travelers might be surprised to come across menhirs while wandering through Europe, but locals are used to them and even give them quaint names like “The Longstone” or “The Stinky Rock”.

Despite being seen as something of a novelty today, menhirs were once an important religious and cultural symbol. They were often used as a form of ancestor worship, with people building them to honor their forebears. Imagine a family gathering around a big rock and saying “Thank you, grandpa, for all you did for us. And also for letting us put this giant rock in your field.”

In conclusion, menhirs might be ancient, mysterious, and culturally significant, but let’s be honest, they’re also just really big rocks that someone decided to stand up straight. And yes, we’re all still slightly jealous of whoever got to play with them first.