The mysterious Dolmens of the Caucasus may date back 25,000 years


In the western Caucasus region of Russia, not far from the cities of Tzelentzchik, Touapse, Novorossiysk, and Sochi, lies an area of 12,000 square kilometers, stretching across both sides of the mountains. This region is home to hundreds of megalithic monuments known as "dolmens." Most of these structures are rectangular, constructed from large stone slabs, with distinctive holes in their main facades.
These prehistoric structures were built with remarkable precision. Some, for example, feature perfect 90° angles, suggesting they were intended to form sharp corners, while others have curved shapes, likely designed to create circular formations. Archaeologists generally date the Caucasian dolmens to a period between 4,000 and 6,000 years ago. However, some researchers believe they are far older, with construction potentially dating back anywhere from 10,000 to 25,000 years. Despite extensive study, their origin and purpose remain an enduring mystery.

Despite their great diversity, the Caucasian monuments share strong similarities with megalithic structures found in various parts of Europe and Asia, including France, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, and India. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain these similarities and the construction of dolmens in general, but the phenomenon remains far from fully understood.

The dolmens are located in the Krasnodar region, a town in Russia situated along the Kuban River, approximately 148 kilometers northeast of the Black Sea. Currently, around 3,000 dolmens have been counted, though new ones are continually being discovered. Unfortunately, many others are in significant disrepair, as there is no maintenance program in place, nor any protection against vandalism. If not properly safeguarded in time, there is a real risk of losing them forever.
The architecture of the dolmens is relatively simple. They typically have square, trapezoidal, rectangular, or circular floor plans. All dolmens feature a sort of porthole carved into the rock at their entrance. It is believed that the area in front of the entrance was dedicated to ritual practices, enclosed by large stone walls. In the past, pottery from the Bronze and Iron Ages, human remains, bronze and silver tools, and precious stone ornaments have been found within this courtyard.
The decorations on the dolmens are quite minimal, consisting mainly of vertical and horizontal zigzag patterns, triangles, and concentric circles. One common motif is found above the porthole, resembling a lintel supported by two columns. In some cases, phallic carvings have also been discovered.




Strange objects have also been found near the dolmens, including large stone spheres, double spheres, and animal sculptures. In some cases, a more complex structure is discovered, consisting of a central rectangular dolmen flanked by two circular dolmens. What stands out most is the fact that the dolmens were built in perfect harmony with the natural landscape.