Saint-Michel tumulus

Tumulus of St. Michel
LocationCarnac, France
RegionBrittany
Coordinates47°35′16″N 3°04′25″W / 47.5879°N 3.0735°W / 47.5879; -3.0735
TypeTumulus
Length125 metres (410 ft)
Width60 metres (200 ft)
Height10 metres (33 ft)

The Saint-Michel tumulus is a megalithic grave mound, located east of Carnac in Brittany, France.[1] It is the largest grave mound in continental Europe.

History

See also: Carnac Stones
View of the Le Menec stone alignments with the Saint-Michel tumulus in the distance (top right)

The tumulus was built during the fifth millennium BC. It consists of a mound of earth and stones 125 metres (410 ft) long, 50 metres (160 ft) wide and 10 metres (33 ft) high.[1] Explored in 1862, researchers found there a central vault containing fairly prestigious funerary furniture: axes, pearls, flint tools and sillimanite.

It has been classified as a "Monument historique" (National heritage site) since 1889.

Around 1900, the archaeologist Zacharie Le Rouzic [fr] again excavated the Saint-Michel tumulus and discovered a second dolmen and fifteen small stone chests, thus revealing the complexity of this monument.

  • Saint-Michel tumulus plan by Zacharie Le Rouzic [fr]
    Saint-Michel tumulus plan by Zacharie Le Rouzic [fr]
  • Excavation entrance to the tumulus
    Excavation entrance to the tumulus
  • Finds from the Saint-Michel tumulus
    Finds from the Saint-Michel tumulus
  • Jade axes from the tumulus
    Jade axes from the tumulus
  • Callais necklace from the tumulus
    Callais necklace from the tumulus
  • Broken stone axes from the tumulus
    Broken stone axes from the tumulus

References

  1. ^ a b "Saint-Michel tumulus". www.megalithes-morbihan.com. Retrieved 6 November 2014.