The Stones of Carnac: Who Built These Mysterious Ancient Megaliths?
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When discussing megaliths, the standing stones of Stonehenge in England comes to mind. However, there are other megalithic structures in Western Europe which are far older, far more extensive, and far more dramatic - the Stones of Carnac.
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Ancient Aliens: Carnac Stones Baffle Archaeologists (Season 9) | History
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The Carnac Stone are the largest collection of standing stones in the world, but nobody really knows why they were built in this clip from Season 9, Mysterious Structures. #AncientAliens
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The Carnac Stone Alignments
Nothing can really prepare you for the first time you see Carnac, its an amazing place, with so many megaliths decorating the French countryside in an area of France famous for having one of the densest collections of megaliths in the world.
At the end of 2016 we crossed the English Channel to film a structure that absolutely baffles researchers who can only guess at the reasons why over 3000 stones, weighing up to 67 tons were erected in lines stretching across a thin 4km long strip of Brittany. We visited all of the different sections, taking some amazing drone footage and the film also features some of the menhirs and dolmen/tumulus structures in close proximity to the alignments, including the le Grand Menhir Brise that would have stood over 20m tall and weighed 350 tons before it broke into 4 pieces.
Our continuing aim is to show there was a global civilization before our current one and we believe the distribution of megaliths around the world strongly substantiates this theory. We believe this site is a very important piece of the puzzle if we are to understand what our ancestors were up to and adds to the evidence suggesting there was once a global civilization before the last ice-age that was both spiritually and technologically more advanced than the current one.
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Carnac, France | A Key to Understanding Ancient Monuments | Howard Crowhurst | Megalithomania 2017
See Howard's second lecture from Megalithomania 2017 about 'The Nebra Sky-Disc': Howard Crowhurst has been living just near Carnac and studying the incredible megalithic monuments there for over 30 years. He has shown that the multiple sites there are all linked together by incredibly precise geometry positioned according to the cardinal directions. He has also proven that this specific geometry is linked to the movement of the sun and the moon at this specific latitude. This principle which he calls astro geometry seems to have been the basis for the implantation of sacred monuments all over the world. In this talk, Howard Crowhurst describes this method and then shows how it was used in many different ancient civilizations.
Filmed at the Megalithomania Conference in Glastonbury in May 2017.
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The Baffling Carnac Stones Of France
I talk briefly and then give a tour using Google Earth, pics and video of the mysterious Carnac Stones of Brittany, France. Historians say these Neolithic stones are 4,000-6500 years old...in other words they have no clue. Links below
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The Stones of Carnac FRANCE
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Carnac stones Brittany France - Carnac Alignments (Megalithic Standing Stones)
The Carnac stones are Brittany's answer to Stone Henge, over 3000 stones placed in alignment over a 5km stretch of land, laid during the Neolithic period which lasted between 4500BC too 2000BC. It is estimated that the sites main period of activity was around 3500BC. Carnac is not only home to the stones but its main beach was voted one of the top twenty beaches throughout France and is just a short drive away from La Forge the Brittany holiday cottage with private pool.
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Carnac stones, Carnac, Morbihan, Brittany, France, Europe
The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of alignments, dolmens, tumuli and single menhirs. More than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones were hewn from local rock and erected by the pre/proto-Celtic people of Brittany, and are the largest such collection in the world. Most of the stones are within the Breton village of Carnac, but some to the east are within La Trinité-sur-Mer. The stones were erected at some stage during the Neolithic period, probably around 3300 BC, but some may date to as old as 4500 BC. Although the stones date from 4500 BC, modern myths were formed which resulted from 1st century AD Roman and later Christian occupations, such as Saint Cornelius a Christian myth associated with the stones held that they were pagan soldiers in pursuit of Pope Cornelius when he turned them to stone. Brittany has its own local versions of the Arthurian cycle. Local tradition claims that the reason they stand in such perfectly straight lines is that they are a Roman legion turned to stone by Merlin. In recent centuries, many of the sites have been neglected, with reports of dolmens being used as sheep shelters, chicken sheds or even ovens. Even more commonly, stones have been removed to make way for roads, or as building materials. The continuing management of the sites remains a controversial topic. Eleven converging rows of menhirs stretching for 1,165 by 100 metres (3,822 by 328 feet). There is what Alexander Thom considered to be the remains of stone circles at either end. According to the tourist office there is a cromlech containing 71 stone blocks at the western end and a very ruined cromlech at the eastern end. The largest stones, around 4 metres (13 feet) high, are at the wider, western end; the stones then become as small as 0.6 metres (2 feet 0 inches) high along the length of the alignment before growing in height again toward the extreme eastern end. The tumulus of Saint-Michel was constructed between 5000 BC and 3400 BC. At its base it is 125 by 60 m (410 by 197 ft), and is 12 m (39 ft) high. It required 35,000 cubic metres (46,000 cu yd) of stone and earth. Its function was the same as that of the pyramids of Egypt: a tomb for the members of the ruling class. It contained various funerary objects, such as 15 stone chests, pottery, jewellery, most of which are currently held by the Museum of Prehistory of Carnac. It was excavated in 1862 by René Galles with a series of vertical pits, digging down 8 m (26 ft). Le Rouzic also excavated it between 1900 and 1907 discovering the tomb and the stone chests. A chapel was built on top in 1663 but was rebuilt in 1813, before being destroyed in 1923. The current building is an identical reconstruction of the 1663 chapel, built in 1926. Also known as Er Mané, it is a chamber tomb 85 m (279 ft) long, 35 m (115 ft) wide, and 5 m (16 ft) high. It has a dolmen at the west end, and two tombs at the east end. A small menhir, approximately 3 m (10 ft) high, is nearby. In 1887, H. de Cleuziou argued for a connection between the rows of stones and the directions of sunsets at the solstices. Among more recent studies, Alexander Thom worked with his son Archie from 1970 to 1974 to carry out a detailed survey of the Carnac alignments, and produced a series of papers on the astronomical alignments of the stones as well as statistical analysis supporting his concept of the megalithic yard. Thom's megalithic yard has been challenged. There are also general theories on the use of the stones as astronomical observatories, as has been claimed for Stonehenge. According to one such theory, the massive menhir at nearby Locmariaquer was linked to the alignments for such a purpose. The Musée de Préhistoire James Miln – Zacharie le Rouzic is at the centre of conserving and displaying the artefacts from the area. It also contains the world's largest collection [of] prehistoric[al] exhibits with over 6,600 prehistoric objects from 136 different sites. The monuments themselves were listed and purchased by the State at the start of the 20th century to protect them against quarrymen, and while this was successful at the time, in the mid century redevelopment, changes to agricultural practices and increasing tourism bringing visitors to the stones led to rapid deterioration. The Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (Heritage Ministry) re-examined the issue from 1984, and subsequently set up the ‘Mission Carnac’ 1991 with the aim of rehabilitating and developing the alignments.
Carnac stones, Carnac, Morbihan, Brittany, France, Europe
The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of alignments, dolmens, tumuli and single menhirs. More than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones were hewn from local rock and erected by the pre/proto-Celtic people of Brittany, and are the largest such collection in the world. Most of the stones are within the Breton village of Carnac, but some to the east are within La Trinité-sur-Mer. The stones were erected at some stage during the Neolithic period, probably around 3300 BC, but some may date to as old as 4500 BC. Although the stones date from 4500 BC, modern myths were formed which resulted from 1st century AD Roman and later Christian occupations, such as Saint Cornelius a Christian myth associated with the stones held that they were pagan soldiers in pursuit of Pope Cornelius when he turned them to stone. Brittany has its own local versions of the Arthurian cycle. Local tradition claims that the reason they stand in such perfectly straight lines is that they are a Roman legion turned to stone by Merlin. In recent centuries, many of the sites have been neglected, with reports of dolmens being used as sheep shelters, chicken sheds or even ovens. Even more commonly, stones have been removed to make way for roads, or as building materials. The continuing management of the sites remains a controversial topic. Eleven converging rows of menhirs stretching for 1,165 by 100 metres (3,822 by 328 feet). There is what Alexander Thom considered to be the remains of stone circles at either end. According to the tourist office there is a cromlech containing 71 stone blocks at the western end and a very ruined cromlech at the eastern end. The largest stones, around 4 metres (13 feet) high, are at the wider, western end; the stones then become as small as 0.6 metres (2 feet 0 inches) high along the length of the alignment before growing in height again toward the extreme eastern end. The tumulus of Saint-Michel was constructed between 5000 BC and 3400 BC. At its base it is 125 by 60 m (410 by 197 ft), and is 12 m (39 ft) high. It required 35,000 cubic metres (46,000 cu yd) of stone and earth. Its function was the same as that of the pyramids of Egypt: a tomb for the members of the ruling class. It contained various funerary objects, such as 15 stone chests, pottery, jewellery, most of which are currently held by the Museum of Prehistory of Carnac. It was excavated in 1862 by René Galles with a series of vertical pits, digging down 8 m (26 ft). Le Rouzic also excavated it between 1900 and 1907 discovering the tomb and the stone chests. A chapel was built on top in 1663 but was rebuilt in 1813, before being destroyed in 1923. The current building is an identical reconstruction of the 1663 chapel, built in 1926. Also known as Er Mané, it is a chamber tomb 85 m (279 ft) long, 35 m (115 ft) wide, and 5 m (16 ft) high. It has a dolmen at the west end, and two tombs at the east end. A small menhir, approximately 3 m (10 ft) high, is nearby. In 1887, H. de Cleuziou argued for a connection between the rows of stones and the directions of sunsets at the solstices. Among more recent studies, Alexander Thom worked with his son Archie from 1970 to 1974 to carry out a detailed survey of the Carnac alignments, and produced a series of papers on the astronomical alignments of the stones as well as statistical analysis supporting his concept of the megalithic yard. Thom's megalithic yard has been challenged. There are also general theories on the use of the stones as astronomical observatories, as has been claimed for Stonehenge. According to one such theory, the massive menhir at nearby Locmariaquer was linked to the alignments for such a purpose. The Musée de Préhistoire James Miln – Zacharie le Rouzic is at the centre of conserving and displaying the artefacts from the area. It also contains the world's largest collection [of] prehistoric[al] exhibits with over 6,600 prehistoric objects from 136 different sites. The monuments themselves were listed and purchased by the State at the start of the 20th century to protect them against quarrymen, and while this was successful at the time, in the mid century redevelopment, changes to agricultural practices and increasing tourism bringing visitors to the stones led to rapid deterioration. The Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (Heritage Ministry) re-examined the issue from 1984, and subsequently set up the ‘Mission Carnac’ 1991 with the aim of rehabilitating and developing the alignments.
Naomi at the Carnac stones in Brittany France - Carnac stones for sale
Naomi at the Carnac stones in Brittany France - Carnac stones for sale
March 2012 Naomi enjoys a day out in the sun at the Carnac stones, Brittany's answer to Stone henge.
The stone alignments were erected between 4000-2500 BC
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#CarnacStones#CarnacStandingStones#WorldHeritageSites#MegalithicStructures
Wizards Bringing Balance at the Carnac Stones in France
Wayfinders Wizards bringing balance to the land at Carnac, France.
The Video shows some of the Megalithic stones used in the Carnac alignments which consist of up to three thousand standing stones which are still standing in three great alignments over nearly four kilometers. Two Wayfinder Wizards were tasked to connect this area to Avebury England energetically and re-establish something that was broken some 800 years ago. They also brought balance to place and cleared a major energy blockage that was preventing the Carnac alignments from receiving it's Dragon energies. - Wayfinders wizards
The Stones of Carnac Tour
A film of the Seven Day Tour of Brittany's Ancient Megalithic Sites by 'Neil McDonald's Megalithic Tours'.
The area of North Western France known as Brittany can be viewed as a continuation of an ancient sacred land stretching from the Isles of Scotland, down the west coast of Britain and across the English Channel. It is along this expanse that the Megalithic Stone Builders of the Neolithic Age left their mark in the form of sacred areas and pilgrimage routes covered with stone circles, long-barrows, chambered tombs and standing stones. On our ancient sites tour of Carnac and Brittany we visit a wide range of sacred sites including the many fields of highly unique Stone Alignments, or vast multiple rows of standing stones. This spectacular experience takes ancient site tours to another level and is a must for anyone interested in our megalithic past.
We will have plenty of time to tour the Carnac Stone Alignments but Brittany has a great deal more to offer. The many Dolmans of the area are varied in design and some contain fine ancient rock carvings, the main one being on the small island of Gavrinis, which we shall reach by ferry across the Golfe du Morbihhan. The still complete Kercado chambered tomb with its internal passageway over 20 feet long and 16 ft high dome with a standing stone sitting on its summit is a special treat. It stands on the edge of the main Kermario alignments with the Manio Giant stone standing at an impressive 21 ft tall, nearby. The Pierres Plates Allée Couverte, or stone covered passageway, stretches along the seafront with its right angle turn and intriguing rock carving. There are many more ancient sites to visit including the Champ Dolent menhir that, standing at nearly 30 feet it is the highest megalithic standing stone in Europe.
For the majority of this epic ancient sites tour of Carnac and Brittany we will be staying in the village of Carnac itself with a day off to take in the nearby beach, shops and the fine Archaeology Museum. Our final night will be in the fantastic walled city of St Malo with its excellent restaurants and bars, beach and easily walkable ramparts that surround the city.
Carnac Vacation Travel Video Guide
Travel video about destination Carnac in France.
The megaliths of Carnac in Brittany are stone relics that are thousands of years old and date back to the middle of the Neolithic period. Four long avenues of mighty stone known as ‘alignments’ extend across eight kilometres of scenic terrain.The Kerzerho Stones are one of the most splendid alignments in Carnac. They consist of more than eleven hundred stones and cover an area of almost two kilometres. But what significance did this formation have with its Neolithic creators and how were they able to transport these massive stones? The stones will probably never reveal their secrets but many historians and archaeologists believe that they were connected with some kind of religious belief. The area around Carnac also contains numerous intriguing Dolmen, a series of vertical stones that support a large slab, a kind of stone table. Along the northern border of Plouharnel Village there is a fine example of this unique construction that dates back to the Stone Age, the Dolmen of Rondonssec. The large number of Dolmen indicates that the region was once not only of great astronomical importance but was also used as a burial site. It is not known who was buried here but they may have been tribal and religious leaders as well as those who had made an important contribution to the well-being of the tribe. For several centuries the tranquil and mysterious atmosphere of this place has fascinated all those who have experienced it. The megaliths of Carnac are masterpieces of prehistoric architecture and grand monuments that have survived time itself.
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Carnac, Stones of Brittany ????
Unlike Stonehenge, this one is free to visit ????. It is a lovely stretch to stroll.
Brittany, France
Howard Crowhurst: Megalithic Secrets of the Carnac Alignments in Brittany FULL LECTURE
Watch Howard's new research here: Filmed at the Megalithomania Conference in Glastonbury, May 2011. Howard Crowhurst was born in North Wales. He has been living in Brittany since 1986 and has become one of the leading experts on the megaithic monuments of the Carnac area. From 1990 to 2004, he was vice president of the Association Archéologique Kergal and as such he took part in the french TV documentary, Carnac. In 2006, he launched the Summer Solstice in Plouharnel event with the Plouharnel Tourist Office. He founded the ACEM-Association for the Knowledge and Study of Megaliths, whose aim (amongst other things) is to create a 3D computer model of the Carnac megalithic complex. He appeared at Megalithomania in 2009 when he introduced his incredible research on geometry and metrology to the world. He is the author of 'Carnac: The Alignments'.
Copyright Megalithomania/Pentos TV 2011. All Rights Reserved.
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The mystery behind the megaliths of France’s Brittany region
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France's western Brittany region is home to a mysterious phenomenon, a series of “standing stones” known as megaliths. These fascinating structures are proof of a civilization that existed 7,000 years ago. Questions are still being asked about why they were built, what they symbolise and what they tell us about how people lived at that time. Many experts like Yves Coppens, who co-discovered the skeleton Lucy in 1974, are still trying to unlock the stories behind the vertical stones.
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Visite du Musee de Carnac (France) - Visiting the Carnac museum
More information about Neolithic on my website :
Carnac stones, Carnac, Morbihan, Brittany, France, Europe
The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of alignments, dolmens, tumuli and single menhirs. More than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones were hewn from local rock and erected by the pre/proto-Celtic people of Brittany, and are the largest such collection in the world. Most of the stones are within the Breton village of Carnac, but some to the east are within La Trinité-sur-Mer. The stones were erected at some stage during the Neolithic period, probably around 3300 BC, but some may date to as old as 4500 BC. Although the stones date from 4500 BC, modern myths were formed which resulted from 1st century AD Roman and later Christian occupations, such as Saint Cornelius a Christian myth associated with the stones held that they were pagan soldiers in pursuit of Pope Cornelius when he turned them to stone. Brittany has its own local versions of the Arthurian cycle. Local tradition claims that the reason they stand in such perfectly straight lines is that they are a Roman legion turned to stone by Merlin. In recent centuries, many of the sites have been neglected, with reports of dolmens being used as sheep shelters, chicken sheds or even ovens. Even more commonly, stones have been removed to make way for roads, or as building materials. The continuing management of the sites remains a controversial topic. Eleven converging rows of menhirs stretching for 1,165 by 100 metres (3,822 by 328 feet). There is what Alexander Thom considered to be the remains of stone circles at either end. According to the tourist office there is a cromlech containing 71 stone blocks at the western end and a very ruined cromlech at the eastern end. The largest stones, around 4 metres (13 feet) high, are at the wider, western end; the stones then become as small as 0.6 metres (2 feet 0 inches) high along the length of the alignment before growing in height again toward the extreme eastern end. The tumulus of Saint-Michel was constructed between 5000 BC and 3400 BC. At its base it is 125 by 60 m (410 by 197 ft), and is 12 m (39 ft) high. It required 35,000 cubic metres (46,000 cu yd) of stone and earth. Its function was the same as that of the pyramids of Egypt: a tomb for the members of the ruling class. It contained various funerary objects, such as 15 stone chests, pottery, jewellery, most of which are currently held by the Museum of Prehistory of Carnac. It was excavated in 1862 by René Galles with a series of vertical pits, digging down 8 m (26 ft). Le Rouzic also excavated it between 1900 and 1907 discovering the tomb and the stone chests. A chapel was built on top in 1663 but was rebuilt in 1813, before being destroyed in 1923. The current building is an identical reconstruction of the 1663 chapel, built in 1926. Also known as Er Mané, it is a chamber tomb 85 m (279 ft) long, 35 m (115 ft) wide, and 5 m (16 ft) high. It has a dolmen at the west end, and two tombs at the east end. A small menhir, approximately 3 m (10 ft) high, is nearby. In 1887, H. de Cleuziou argued for a connection between the rows of stones and the directions of sunsets at the solstices. Among more recent studies, Alexander Thom worked with his son Archie from 1970 to 1974 to carry out a detailed survey of the Carnac alignments, and produced a series of papers on the astronomical alignments of the stones as well as statistical analysis supporting his concept of the megalithic yard. Thom's megalithic yard has been challenged. There are also general theories on the use of the stones as astronomical observatories, as has been claimed for Stonehenge. According to one such theory, the massive menhir at nearby Locmariaquer was linked to the alignments for such a purpose. The Musée de Préhistoire James Miln – Zacharie le Rouzic is at the centre of conserving and displaying the artefacts from the area. It also contains the world's largest collection [of] prehistoric[al] exhibits with over 6,600 prehistoric objects from 136 different sites. The monuments themselves were listed and purchased by the State at the start of the 20th century to protect them against quarrymen, and while this was successful at the time, in the mid century redevelopment, changes to agricultural practices and increasing tourism bringing visitors to the stones led to rapid deterioration. The Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (Heritage Ministry) re-examined the issue from 1984, and subsequently set up the ‘Mission Carnac’ 1991 with the aim of rehabilitating and developing the alignments.
Carnac stones, Carnac, Morbihan, Brittany, France, Europe
The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of alignments, dolmens, tumuli and single menhirs. More than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones were hewn from local rock and erected by the pre/proto-Celtic people of Brittany, and are the largest such collection in the world. Most of the stones are within the Breton village of Carnac, but some to the east are within La Trinité-sur-Mer. The stones were erected at some stage during the Neolithic period, probably around 3300 BC, but some may date to as old as 4500 BC. Although the stones date from 4500 BC, modern myths were formed which resulted from 1st century AD Roman and later Christian occupations, such as Saint Cornelius a Christian myth associated with the stones held that they were pagan soldiers in pursuit of Pope Cornelius when he turned them to stone. Brittany has its own local versions of the Arthurian cycle. Local tradition claims that the reason they stand in such perfectly straight lines is that they are a Roman legion turned to stone by Merlin. In recent centuries, many of the sites have been neglected, with reports of dolmens being used as sheep shelters, chicken sheds or even ovens. Even more commonly, stones have been removed to make way for roads, or as building materials. The continuing management of the sites remains a controversial topic. Eleven converging rows of menhirs stretching for 1,165 by 100 metres (3,822 by 328 feet). There is what Alexander Thom considered to be the remains of stone circles at either end. According to the tourist office there is a cromlech containing 71 stone blocks at the western end and a very ruined cromlech at the eastern end. The largest stones, around 4 metres (13 feet) high, are at the wider, western end; the stones then become as small as 0.6 metres (2 feet 0 inches) high along the length of the alignment before growing in height again toward the extreme eastern end. The tumulus of Saint-Michel was constructed between 5000 BC and 3400 BC. At its base it is 125 by 60 m (410 by 197 ft), and is 12 m (39 ft) high. It required 35,000 cubic metres (46,000 cu yd) of stone and earth. Its function was the same as that of the pyramids of Egypt: a tomb for the members of the ruling class. It contained various funerary objects, such as 15 stone chests, pottery, jewellery, most of which are currently held by the Museum of Prehistory of Carnac. It was excavated in 1862 by René Galles with a series of vertical pits, digging down 8 m (26 ft). Le Rouzic also excavated it between 1900 and 1907 discovering the tomb and the stone chests. A chapel was built on top in 1663 but was rebuilt in 1813, before being destroyed in 1923. The current building is an identical reconstruction of the 1663 chapel, built in 1926. Also known as Er Mané, it is a chamber tomb 85 m (279 ft) long, 35 m (115 ft) wide, and 5 m (16 ft) high. It has a dolmen at the west end, and two tombs at the east end. A small menhir, approximately 3 m (10 ft) high, is nearby. In 1887, H. de Cleuziou argued for a connection between the rows of stones and the directions of sunsets at the solstices. Among more recent studies, Alexander Thom worked with his son Archie from 1970 to 1974 to carry out a detailed survey of the Carnac alignments, and produced a series of papers on the astronomical alignments of the stones as well as statistical analysis supporting his concept of the megalithic yard. Thom's megalithic yard has been challenged. There are also general theories on the use of the stones as astronomical observatories, as has been claimed for Stonehenge. According to one such theory, the massive menhir at nearby Locmariaquer was linked to the alignments for such a purpose. The Musée de Préhistoire James Miln – Zacharie le Rouzic is at the centre of conserving and displaying the artefacts from the area. It also contains the world's largest collection [of] prehistoric[al] exhibits with over 6,600 prehistoric objects from 136 different sites. The monuments themselves were listed and purchased by the State at the start of the 20th century to protect them against quarrymen, and while this was successful at the time, in the mid century redevelopment, changes to agricultural practices and increasing tourism bringing visitors to the stones led to rapid deterioration. The Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (Heritage Ministry) re-examined the issue from 1984, and subsequently set up the ‘Mission Carnac’ 1991 with the aim of rehabilitating and developing the alignments.
Carnac stones, Carnac, Morbihan, Brittany, France, Europe
The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of alignments, dolmens, tumuli and single menhirs. More than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones were hewn from local rock and erected by the pre/proto-Celtic people of Brittany, and are the largest such collection in the world. Most of the stones are within the Breton village of Carnac, but some to the east are within La Trinité-sur-Mer. The stones were erected at some stage during the Neolithic period, probably around 3300 BC, but some may date to as old as 4500 BC. Although the stones date from 4500 BC, modern myths were formed which resulted from 1st century AD Roman and later Christian occupations, such as Saint Cornelius a Christian myth associated with the stones held that they were pagan soldiers in pursuit of Pope Cornelius when he turned them to stone. Brittany has its own local versions of the Arthurian cycle. Local tradition claims that the reason they stand in such perfectly straight lines is that they are a Roman legion turned to stone by Merlin. In recent centuries, many of the sites have been neglected, with reports of dolmens being used as sheep shelters, chicken sheds or even ovens. Even more commonly, stones have been removed to make way for roads, or as building materials. The continuing management of the sites remains a controversial topic. Eleven converging rows of menhirs stretching for 1,165 by 100 metres (3,822 by 328 feet). There is what Alexander Thom considered to be the remains of stone circles at either end. According to the tourist office there is a cromlech containing 71 stone blocks at the western end and a very ruined cromlech at the eastern end. The largest stones, around 4 metres (13 feet) high, are at the wider, western end; the stones then become as small as 0.6 metres (2 feet 0 inches) high along the length of the alignment before growing in height again toward the extreme eastern end. The tumulus of Saint-Michel was constructed between 5000 BC and 3400 BC. At its base it is 125 by 60 m (410 by 197 ft), and is 12 m (39 ft) high. It required 35,000 cubic metres (46,000 cu yd) of stone and earth. Its function was the same as that of the pyramids of Egypt: a tomb for the members of the ruling class. It contained various funerary objects, such as 15 stone chests, pottery, jewellery, most of which are currently held by the Museum of Prehistory of Carnac. It was excavated in 1862 by René Galles with a series of vertical pits, digging down 8 m (26 ft). Le Rouzic also excavated it between 1900 and 1907 discovering the tomb and the stone chests. A chapel was built on top in 1663 but was rebuilt in 1813, before being destroyed in 1923. The current building is an identical reconstruction of the 1663 chapel, built in 1926. Also known as Er Mané, it is a chamber tomb 85 m (279 ft) long, 35 m (115 ft) wide, and 5 m (16 ft) high. It has a dolmen at the west end, and two tombs at the east end. A small menhir, approximately 3 m (10 ft) high, is nearby. In 1887, H. de Cleuziou argued for a connection between the rows of stones and the directions of sunsets at the solstices. Among more recent studies, Alexander Thom worked with his son Archie from 1970 to 1974 to carry out a detailed survey of the Carnac alignments, and produced a series of papers on the astronomical alignments of the stones as well as statistical analysis supporting his concept of the megalithic yard. Thom's megalithic yard has been challenged. There are also general theories on the use of the stones as astronomical observatories, as has been claimed for Stonehenge. According to one such theory, the massive menhir at nearby Locmariaquer was linked to the alignments for such a purpose. The Musée de Préhistoire James Miln – Zacharie le Rouzic is at the centre of conserving and displaying the artefacts from the area. It also contains the world's largest collection [of] prehistoric[al] exhibits with over 6,600 prehistoric objects from 136 different sites. The monuments themselves were listed and purchased by the State at the start of the 20th century to protect them against quarrymen, and while this was successful at the time, in the mid century redevelopment, changes to agricultural practices and increasing tourism bringing visitors to the stones led to rapid deterioration. The Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication (Heritage Ministry) re-examined the issue from 1984, and subsequently set up the ‘Mission Carnac’ 1991 with the aim of rehabilitating and developing the alignments.