According to the 1864 survey, the number of 'Dolmens' in France was estimated at 2,225. (2) Today, the number is estimated at approximately 4,000.

Dolmen have been found all around the ancient world - in the America's, Europe, the Middle-east (Syria), In Africa (Algeria)(9), and even in Asia (India, China)(1), (Korea), (Japan)(9). 

The oldest proven examples are from the Middle east, suggesting that the design reached Europe from there. (1)

Dolmen fall into many categories; For example, some were originally covered over while others were left exposed, placing doubt over their commonly designated purposes as funerary structures.

Some Dolmen are still in use today:

The Christianised Portuguese Dolmens at Sao Brissos, Pavia and Alcoberta.

They have several construction features which are peculiar to the area, such as the the portalled entrances, which lead directly into the large internal chambers. They are invariably orientated east-west, with the opening facing east, suggesting a preference for equinoxial orientation.

Other dolmens can also be found north of the Loire at Soucelles, La Roche Thibault, Bauge, Nr Mettray (La Grotte des Fees). South of the river in the Samur region there are more west of Gennes and in a farmyard near St. Hilaire (Dolmen de la Pierre Boire), and the massive Le Gros-Chillou at Briancon, Cravant, which is 50 ft (15.2 metres) long and 10 ft (3.1 metres) high.

(More about the Loire Dolmens)

Many of the Alentejo 'dolmens' have a style that is distinct to the region. It is possible to see within the range of dolmens and passage-mounds across the country that there is a form which can be seen to be a hybrid Dolmen-Passage mound. The three structures below all share this particular design feature and are found in the Alentejo, Portugal. Others in Northern Portugal also share similarities with these structures.

Anta do Tapodao. Anta grande do Zambujeiro. Commenda da Igreja.

All of these structures share similar design features and contain aspects of both Dolmens and Passage-mounds, but while the Commenda da Igreja and Anta do Tapodao, both have Dolmen chambers, the stones are only half covered with mounds, making them appear from a distance as though they were just small dolmens, built on top of mounds.

The Passage mound at Zambujeiro contains both full forms in one structure, but was completely covered with a mound.

It is noticeable that a great number of Portuguese Dolmens appear to have had one of the upright stones of the chamber broken in half (Most frequently the northern one on the right hand). This curious effect can be seen in Dolmens across the country. As yet there is no explanation for this, although the fact that it occurs on such a large-scale suggests that it may have been the result of religious fervour.

And Finally...