monolith

(noun)

A large single block of stone, used in architecture and sculpture.

Related Terms

Examples of monolith in the following topics:

  • Sculpture in the Vijayanagar Empire

    • Vijayanagar sculpture can most commonly be seen in the reliefs, pillars, and monolithic statues of temples.
    • Another element of the Vijayanagar style is the carving and consecration of large monolithic statues, such as the Sasivekalu Ganesha and Kadalekalu Ganesha at Hampi; the Gommateshvara (Bahubali) monoliths in Karkala and Venur; and the Nandi bull in Lepakshi.

  • Sculpture of the Aztecs

    • The use of skulls and skeletons in Aztec art originated before the conquest, and the Aztecs often carved skulls into their stone sculptures, monoliths of lava, and masks of obsidian and jade.
    • Also known as the Mexican Sun Stone, Stone of the Sun, or Stone of the Five Eras, it is a large monolithic sculpture that was excavated in the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square, on December 17, 1790.
    • The monolith of the Stone of the Sun, also known as the Aztec calendar stone (National Museum of Anthropology and History, Mexico City).

  • Architecture of Aksun and Lalibela

    • Lalibela is a town in northern Ethiopia that is famous for its monolithic rock-cut churches.
    • The Northern Group includes Biete Medhane Alem (home to the Lalibela Cross and believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world), Biete Maryam, Biete Golgotha (known for its arts and said to contain the tomb of King Lalibela), the Selassie Chapel, and the Tomb of Adam.

  • Sculpture of the Old Kingdom

    • The Great Sphinx, located among the Pyramids of Giza, is the largest monolith statue in the world, standing 241 feet long, 63 feet wide, and 66.34 feet high.
    • The Great Sphinx, located among the Pyramids of Giza, is the largest monolith statue in the world.

  • Architecture of Great Zimbabwe

    • These birds were carved from a soapstone on the tops of monoliths that were the height of a person.
    • Slots in a platform in the Eastern Enclosure of the Hill Complex appear designed to hold the monoliths with the Zimbabwe birds, but archaeologists cannot be sure that this is where the birds rested.

  • Jain Sculpture

    • A colossal monolithic statue of Bahubali at Shravanbelagola, the Jain siddha (one who has attained spiritual salvation), is located in Karnataka in southern India.

  • The Pyramids of the Old Kingdom

    • It is the largest monolith statue in the world, standing 241 ft long, 63 ft wide, and 66.34 ft high.
    • The Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest monolith statue in the world and was believed to have been built for King Khafra during the 4th Dynasty.

  • Tonga

    • Hence Tongan culture is far from a unified or monolithic affair, and Tongans themselves may differ strongly as to what it is "Tongan" to do, or not do.

  • Tiwanaku and Wari

    • The main architectural appeal of the site comes from the carved images and designs on carved doorways and giant stone monoliths.

  • Stonework on Easter Island

    • A total of 887 monolithic stone statues have been inventoried on the island and in museum collections so far.