Definition: Monumental architecture, to archaeologists anyway, refers to large man-made structures of stone or earth. These generally are used as public buildings or spaces, such as pyramids, tombs, mounds, plazas, platform mounds, temples, standing stones, and the like. Anything big and man-made, essentially. Not necessarily a 'Seven Wonder'.
Interesting Reading
Evans, Christopher 2000 Megalithic Follies: Soane's "Druidic Remains" and the display of monuments. Journal of Material Culture 5(3):347-366.
Renfrew, Colin 1983 The social archaeology of megalithic monuments. Scientific American 249:152-163.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
