Barnenez South Passage Chamber
Barnenez South Passage Chamber North Annex · Barnenez Site
Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE)·Late Neolithic·🇫🇷 Brittany, Ploudalmézeau, France
About
About Barnenez South Passage Chamber
Barnenez South Passage Chamber in Brittany, Ploudalmézeau, France is a Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE) megalithic attributed to Late Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal chamber 6 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 48.6670N -4.4080E controls access to Brittany resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey megalithic for Brittany, Ploudalmézeau, illustrating Late Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3300–2800 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Neolithic
- Purpose
- Collective burial and territorial marker for agro-pastoral community
- Rediscovered
- 1984 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3300–2800 BCE
Initial construction of Barnenez South Passage Chamber main structure
c. 1924
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1984–2014
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Barnenez South Passage Chamber) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
48.6670° N · 4.4080° W · 248 m · 4 mapped features
Barnenez South Passage Chamber — Main Structure
structurePrincipal megalithic — Chamber 6 × 2 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
48.6678° N · 4.4071° WBarnenez South Passage Chamber — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
48.6660° N · 4.4087° WBarnenez South Passage Chamber — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with cup marks and alignment
48.6685° N · 4.4068° WBarnenez South Passage Chamber — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
48.6654° N · 4.4091° W