Lang Stane, Aberdeen, Prehistoric menhir in Aberdeen, Scotland
Lang Stane is a granite standing stone set into an alcove at the southeast corner of number 10 Langstane Place in downtown Aberdeen. The stone reaches about 1.8 meters tall, measuring 0.68 meters wide and 0.3 meters thick.
The stone may have been part of a stone circle around 3000 BC, suggested by its keel-shaped base typical of Aberdeenshire monuments. Its location appeared on Paterson's Map of Aberdeen from 1746, before the surrounding building was constructed.
The stone shaped local naming traditions, with several businesses and neighborhoods adopting its name, including Langstane Press and Langstane Housing Association. Its influence extends into the modern identity of the city.
The stone remains visible from Union Street and sits in an alcove at a central downtown location. It can be easily reached on foot as it is located in the heart of the city center.
The stone stood as a landmark long before the surrounding buildings were erected, originating from an age far older than most known historical structures in Aberdeen. Its placement within a modern commercial area creates a striking contrast between prehistoric time and contemporary urban development.
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