Around 2000 BC stone cists (tombs lined with stone slabs) and dolmens (tombs made from a large stone laid on upright ones) were the most common forms of burial in Korea. Though only the stones remain dolmens were originally covered by mounds of earth. Although Korean dolmens are similar in appearance to European dolmens there is no connection between them. Dolmens are widespread in Asia from India to Manchuria. Korea has the greatest number of dolmens in northeast Asia - more than 100,000 have been found.

Dolmens normally cover only one grave, though sometimes one dolmen can cover two or more graves. Perhaps double burials were for mothers and infants or for a married couple. Burial goods found in dolmen tombs suggests that they were graves of high status people.

Stone cist graves are more widespread than dolmens. Normally they contain only a few burial goods: typically beads, stone daggers and pottery. However, some stone cist burials contain more unusual goods of bronze, stone and precious materials. Also bronze mirrors have been found in stone cist graves.

Single standing megaliths are also found in Korea, presumably dating to the same time. Some megaliths are arranged in patterns, such as a circle or in the form of a constellation, which were important in shaman rituals.