The word itself derives from ancient Breton. ‘Tol o tuol’ (table) and men (stone). These prehistoric megaliths (the first dolmen date from 4 millennia B.C) are made of heavy stones, which are big enough to support a stone slab, which would cover enough area to form a tombstone, altar or graves. Puglia is a region dotted with these testimonies to the prehistoric age; however, there are certain regions where they are more prevalent than others such as the Bari coastline and around Taranto. Here they form avenues with their great stone coverings and where you can still find evidence inside of individual grave spaces. Salento is also where you find dolmen of a more modest stature, such as the two that can be found in the Salve region, at the Pescalouse Marina a short distance from the coastal region between Gallipoli and Santa Maria di Leuca. In the first, remains from different millennia have been found; fragments of pottery and bone, human teeth, (and in fact these are so rare they are the most important finds). The second is known as the “Argentina” dolman, as is in fact semi-subterranean, being excavated from the rocks with its megalithic entrance. Of note, also, are the Placa Dolman (from the Greek Plaka – top of stone) between Calimera and Melendugno and the Scusi dolman at Minervino. The Menhir are rectangular blocks of stone (rarer still are the square stone blocks) between 11/2 to between 5 – 6 metres high, which are then set in an area approximating 1 metre. Traditionally, historians date these back to the Iron Age, however, there is some debate that they date back even prior to then. They emerged in the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C in Northern Europe (France and Great Britain). Those in the Salento region were used by the Romans as ancient road markers and could be found at all the major crossroads and trade routs of the time. There is no doubt, in any case, of their strong links with pagan culture and religious ceremonies and upon which the later Christians superimposed their own faith and rituals. In fact, it is possible to still find the traces of crosses that were carved into the Menhir. In Salento, the Menhir are numerous and spread throughout the whole region, however it isn’t always possible to see them simply when walking through the countryside; you need to keep your eyes open along the sides of the streets as you drive past. Myth has it that buried below the Menhir are fabulous treasures waiting to be had and the following tale is told: at midnight two men stood on the shoulder of a Menhir, the ground itself rose up and swallowed whole the one was least pure of heart and at the same time recompensed the other by giving up its vast treasures. This and other tales tell of the strong hold the Menhir had over men. In Salento, even today, Menhir are being rediscovered and recovered, many though are in part destroyed. The Menhir of “S. Totaro” which can be found in Martano is spared this fate. It is the tallest Menhir in Italy and is found in the centre of this town. Its name is derived from Saint Sotéro.