Question

When a Dolmen is placed under an earth mound, it is called a:

• A. Passage grave
• B. Tumulus
• C. Stonehenge
• D. Hallcist

Hint:

Remember the hierarchy of terms. A 'tumulus' or 'barrow' is the mound. What's inside the mound can be a 'cist', a 'dolmen', or a 'passage grave'. The question asks what the entire structure (dolmen + mound) is called, for which tumulus is the best general answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the archaeological term for a specific type of megalithic monument. A dolmen is a single-chamber tomb made of large upright stones supporting a capstone. The question describes a dolmen that is covered by a mound of earth.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Passage grave: This is a specific type of megalithic tomb where the burial chamber (which could be a dolmen) is connected to the outside by a long, narrow passage. The entire structure is then covered by a mound. While this fits the description, it's a very specific type.
- Tumulus: This is the general Latin term for a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. It is a synonym for a barrow. Any grave covered by a mound, including a dolmen, falls under this category. It is the most encompassing and correct term for the mound itself.
- Stonehenge: This is a specific prehistoric monument in England, a cromlech (stone circle), not a general term for a type of tomb.
- Hallcist: This is a Scandinavian term for a long cist (stone-lined grave), a different type of megalithic tomb.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The general and correct term for an earth mound built over a grave, such as a dolmen, is a tumulus.