DOLMEN, the term used of a certain type of prehistoric monuments, which usually consists of several great stone slabs set edgewise in the earth to support a flat stone which serves as a roof. The structure was designed as a burial chamber and is typical of the Neolithic period in Europe. The word is Celtic in origin but probably is not Breton; the Welsh equivalent of the word is Cromlech. Dolmens, although found in covered form as far East as Japan are mainly confined to Europe and Northern Africa. There are many examples in the British Isles. See BAR ROW and Borlase, The Dolmens of Ireland (1897).