ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Stela

Okay kiddo, do you know what a plaque is? It's a flat piece of metal or stone with words or pictures on it that people put up to remember important things.

Well, a stela is kind of like a really big, special plaque that's usually made of stone.

Lots of ancient civilizations like the Maya and the Egyptians used stelae to remember important events and people. They would usually carve pictures and writing on them, like a history book but made of rock!

Stelae were often placed in important locations, like temples or public squares, so that lots of people could see them and learn about the things they recorded.

So, basically, a stela is like a giant, fancy plaque made of stone that people put up to remember important things from a long, long time ago.