Hajr-al-Mansub

megalithic axe-shaped menhir sits in the countryside about 15 km’ south of madaba in jordan in a cornfield overlooking the zirqa ma‘in valley, hajr al-mansub (the erected stone) is one of the most impressive menhirs in jordan. it is linked to the large ceremonial center and dolmen field at murayghat, about a kilometer to the west. the menhir stands approximately 2.5 meters tall and is a 1.5 metes wide at the base, and is tappered toward the top. the southern face of the menhir is cut with a grove, at approximately two-thirds of it height. the specific purpose of the menhir is not know, but probably dates at least to the early bronze period as do the monuments at murayghat. some axe heads have these cuts and its position on the menhir corresponds to position of the grooves on neolithic axeheads from the cucuteni-trypillian culture for example.