Pierres Plates — South Cairn Passage (Locmariaquer)
Pierres Plates South
Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (3000–1800 BCE)·Late Neolithic Atlantic·🇫🇷 Brittany, Morbihan, Locmariaquer, France
About
About Pierres Plates — South Cairn Passage (Locmariaquer)
Pierres Plates — South Cairn Passage (Locmariaquer) in Brittany, Morbihan, Locmariaquer, France is a Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (3000–1800 BCE) megalithic attributed to Late Neolithic Atlantic. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document radiocarbon sequence. The site includes a principal platform and ancillary settlement. Dimensions chamber 4.2 m × 2.8 m; mound 18 m diameter; area 4.1 ha. Excavation unexcavated; condition buried. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Late Neolithic Atlantic megalithic with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 10 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Construction technique
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Elite residence hypothesis
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. 3000–2500 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (3000–1800 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Neolithic Atlantic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial tomb and territorial marker
- Rediscovered
- 1918
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 3000–2500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1030 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1913
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
On the ground
Structures & features
47.5700° N · 2.9300° W · 10 m · 3 mapped features
Principal Chamber
chamberPrincipal Chamber at Pierres Plates — South Cairn Passage (Locmariaquer) — chamber with stratified deposits
47.5714° N · 2.9301° WPeripheral Kerb Segment
kerbPeripheral Kerb Segment at Pierres Plates — South Cairn Passage (Locmariaquer) — kerb with stratified deposits
47.5687° N · 2.9303° WOutlier Menhir
standing stoneOutlier Menhir at Pierres Plates — South Cairn Passage (Locmariaquer) — standing stone with stratified deposits
47.5711° N · 2.9313° W