Stone Rows of Monteneuf (Les Pierres Droites)
Alignements de Monteneuf · Les Pierres Droites de Monteneuf
Middle to Late Neolithic·Morbihan Neolithic inland megalithic·🇫🇷 Brittany, Morbihan, Landes de Monteneuf, France
About
About Stone Rows of Monteneuf (Les Pierres Droites)
Major restored inland alignment in Forêt de Monteneuf (landes de Lanvaux) east of Carnac: ~400 menhirs in multiple rows over 500+ m on heathland ridge, quartzite and schist stones to 4.5 m. Site was buried under forest, rediscovered by systematic survey 1980s with standing, fallen and socket stones reconstructed with modern supports to show original rows. Dated 4500–3000 BCE, contemporary with Carnac but eastern inland counterpart. Archaeological reserve with experimental archaeology centre.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Forest burial preserved sockets unique to Monteneuf
Theories
- 01Eastern propagation of Carnac row tradition along Lanvaux ridge
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. 4500–3000 BCE
- Period
- Middle to Late Neolithic
- Culture
- Morbihan Neolithic inland megalithic
- Purpose
- Ceremonial rows comparable to Carnac but inland
- Abandoned
- Bronze Age (forest regrowth)
- Rediscovered
- Surveyed 1980s; reserve established 1989; restoration 1990s–ongoing
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 4500–3000 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1181 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
47.8670° N · 2.2180° W · 130 m · 2 mapped features
Main east-west rows
alignmentCentral ~200 m dense alignment with tallest 4.5 m menhir
47.8670° N · 2.2180° WPierres Droites archaeological reserve centre
centreExperimental archaeology building and restored rows
47.8675° N · 2.2175° W