Rudston Monolith, Ancient menhir in Rudston, England.
The Rudston Monolith is a prehistoric stone standing about 7.6 meters high in the churchyard of St. Martin in East Yorkshire. The stone extends deep underground, likely reaching as far down as it rises above ground.
The stone dates from the Late Neolithic period, around 2000 BC, making it one of the region's oldest monuments. The Norman church was built centuries later directly next to it, acknowledging the stone's ancient presence.
The stone stands in the churchyard of St. Martin, showing how a prehistoric sacred site became part of Christian worship. Walking around it today, you see how two different spiritual traditions occupy the same space, one built centuries after the other.
The stone is accessible year-round and sits directly in the churchyard where you can visit it free of charge. The location is easy to explore by visiting the village of Rudston and locating the church.
Four ancient earthworks approach this stone from different directions, suggesting it served as a central gathering place in prehistoric times. Its location appears to be no accident but the result of deliberate planning by those who built it.
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