Dolmen de Mané Rutual
Mane-Rutual Dolmen · Locmariaquer Mané Rutual
Early Neolithic (c.4000–3600 BCE)·Carn / Atlantic Neolithic (Morbihan)·🇫🇷 Brittany, Morbihan (Locmariaquer), France
About
About Dolmen de Mané Rutual
Classic passage dolmen with tumulus on the heights above Locmariaquer, Morbihan, Brittany, part of the Locmariaquer megalithic ensemble with Table des Marchands and Er Grah nearby. Passage 8 m long leading to rectangular chamber with capstone and orthostats bearing engraved art (axe, crook). Built c.4000–3600 BCE (Early passage grave). Mound partly preserved. Excavated 19th century by Lukis and later. Illustrates transition between passage grave and dolmen typologies on the Morbihan Gulf approach. Scheduled Monument Historique within Locmariaquer archaeological park.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Art motifs — axe and crook as status symbols vs deity representations
- 02Construction sequence relative to neighbouring Table des Marchands and Er Grah
Theories
- 01Mané Rutual as intermediate typology linking gallery grave to passage dolmen in Morbihan sequence
- 02Cluster at Locmariaquer reflects hierarchical cemetery of emerging Neolithic elite
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. 4000–3600 BCE
- Period
- Early Neolithic (c.4000–3600 BCE)
- Culture
- Carn / Atlantic Neolithic (Morbihan)
- Purpose
- Passage dolmen with rock art for collective burial
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 4000–3600 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1149 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
47.5689° N · 2.9445° W · 15 m · 3 mapped features
8 m Passage
passageOrthostat passage leading southeast to chamber
47.5689° N · 2.9446° WRectangular Chamber
chamberChamber with capstone and engraved orthostats (axe, crook symbols)
47.5689° N · 2.9445° WTumulus Remnant
tumulusRemains of earthen/stone mound 25 m diameter around dolmen
47.5690° N · 2.9445° W