巨石文化是一种以巨大石结构建筑为代表的史前文化类型。欧洲西部是巨石文化时间上出现较早且分布较集中的地区。

在欧洲，最常见的巨石建筑是石墓。这些石墓在葡萄牙语中称为anta , 撒丁岛称为stazzone，荷兰称hunebed德国称Hünengrab，丹麦称作dysse威尔士称作cromlech。

A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. The word "megalithic" describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or concrete, as well as representing periods of prehistory characterised by such constructions. For later periods the term monolith, with an overlapping meaning, is more likely to be used.