Megaliths in Carnac and Brittany
Article on megalithic monuments of Brittany written by guest writer Lauren of Lux Authority.
Boulders towering over their landscape can seem majestic, but when they’ve clearly been moved to create a monument over thousands of years ago, it is breathtaking. Many people recognise the name Stonehenge, a circular megalithic monument in Wiltshire, England, but this does not compare to the plethora of manmade masterpieces that litter the northwest of France.
In Brittany, there is a myriad of these Megalithic Monuments. Most of these sites date between 4800 BC and 3500 BC. Each one has been built over time using amazing feats of strength.
Different Types of Monuments or Formations
Megaliths in Carnac
Some of the most stunning monuments are in Carnac. The formations you will see may be alignments, where these large stones have been placed a few feet apart in a line for usually aesthetic and astronomical purposes.
Or you may come across dolmens, which appear as little huts, made of multiple tall boulders holding up a flat rock on top used as a roof. These may have been used as houses, animal coops, tombs, or simple meeting places over the years.
Tumuli often litter the hills, as they mark grave sites and tombs. Cairns are stacks of rocks to signify trails or significant historical moments that took place. The final category, and often most surprising, is the menhirs. These large, tall stones stand alone, often overlook vast valleys or civilisations, and often appear as a watchtower. Whatever formations appeal to you, there is a variety of each in Brittany to explore.
The Ménec, Kercado and Crucuno Monuments of Carnac
At Carnac, there are four major alignments of rocks, each containing somewhere between 1,165 stones to a more meager four hundred. The Ménec alignment is clearly the largest, and takes up a vast amount of field space. There are a myriad of dolmens in the area as well. The Kercado dolmen is a large and rare site. Still topped with its original cairn, this marks a large room which hosted a variety of artefacts, including jewellery, pottery, stunning nephrite gem beads, both human and animal teeth, as well as weapons like axes and arrowheads.
For another picture worthy dolmen, check out the Crucuno dolmen. Creating a perfect tunnel in the middle of a field, one cannot help but wonder what possessed our ancient ancestors to move these forty tonne boulders.
The Gavrinis Tomb Monument
For a megalithic adventure, sail to Gavrinis, a small island in the Gulf of Morbihan. On the island, you will find the Gavrinis Tomb, which is the most intricately decorated dolmen.
An early picture of architecture, the stones have been carved with geometric and twirling designs which decorate this unknown tomb. The cairn on top measures near fifty metres, creating such a visual masterpiece you cannot help but be in awe. The size and scope of this megalithic monument is simply astounding.
Record Breaking Monuments – Menhir de Champ-Dolent and Broken Menhir of Er Grah
For the record breaking monuments, look to the Menhir de Champ-Dolent, the tallest standing stone in Brittany. Reaching over nine feet high, this truly makes an impression on bystanders. While there are a myriad of folklore tales of why it is there, no one truly knows.
Thousands of years ago, however, this was not the tallest monument. Nearby at the Locmariaquer megaliths, the broken Menhir of Er Grah was the largest stone to have been moved and erected as a statue and monument. Weighing in at 330 tons and if upright 67.6 feet, it is an unbelievable site. The entire monument bears well-worn carvings showing a hatchet-plough of the neolithic period. Regardless of how it fell around 4000 BC, the mere fact it was once upright by human hands sans (without) machinery is mind-boggling.
More Megalithic Monuments of Brittany
There is also a grave said to have been placed by fairies, and it aligns perfectly at the winter solstice. In addition, there is the Cairn of Barnenez, which is one of the oldest monuments ever discovered.
Built in two different phases, the structure is over seventy-two by twenty-five meters and over eight feet in height. With twelve passageways leading in to the centre of the cairn, there has been a vast amount of early art and artefacts found here. There are a few recurring symbols and many patterns that match the ones at Gavrinis, mentioned earlier.
Each of these ancient cultural icons have their own unique pieces, character, and meaning. We may never know the meaning behind the majestic sights and creations or how they were erected so long ago. But with these megalithic monuments in Brittany being so well preserved, some for over six thousand years, they are an important link to the history of the area and are interesting to explore.
Lauren is a Lux Authority writer and story maker from Pine Valley, California. She and her husband work in the recreation department at a camp.
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