Prior to the Neolithic period, hunter-gatherers were nomadic, following herds of animals around to find food. This lifestyle did not allow for the construction of permanent structures, as people had to be able to move quickly and easily.
With the advent of farming in the Neolithic period, people began to live in settled communities and develop more sophisticated agricultural techniques. This led to a surplus of food, which in turn allowed for the construction of more permanent structures.
The megaliths of Europe were built during this time period, and they are thought to have served a variety of purposes, including:
Storing crops
Marking territorial boundaries
Serving as religious sites
Honoring the dead
Storage
The megaliths of Europe were likely used for a variety of storage purposes, including:
Storing grain and other crops
Storing tools and weapons
Storing animal feed
Marking Boundaries
Many megaliths are located in strategic locations that mark territorial boundaries or important landmarks. This suggests that one function of megaliths may have been to mark the territory of a particular group of people.
Religious Sites
Some megaliths are thought to have been used as religious sites. This is supported by the fact that many megaliths are located near natural landmarks that were considered to be sacred, such as mountains, rivers, and springs.
Honoring the Dead
Some megaliths are thought to have been used as tombs or burial sites. This is supported by the fact that many megaliths contain human remains.
Conclusion
The change from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled lifestyle was the primary factor that led to the construction of European megaliths. These megaliths were used for a variety of purposes, including storing crops, marking territorial boundaries, serving as religious sites, and honoring the dead.