Alignement de Kerascouët
MonumentHidden Treasure
Alignement de Kerascouët, located in Erdeven (Département 56), is a historic monument. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Location
- Erdeven, Département 56, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.6406, -3.1722
- Mérimée Reference
- PA56000115
At the heart of the megalithic country of Erdeven, the Kerascouët alignment unfurls its rows of menhirs erected over 5,000 years ago, a striking testimony to Armorican Neolithic civilisation.
History
The Kerascouët alignment is part of one of the densest concentrations of megalithic sites in Europe, in the commune of Erdeven, in the Morbihan department. This area, sometimes referred to by archaeologists as the "sacred triangle" between Carnac, Erdeven and Plouharnel, contains thousands of standing stones, of which Kerascouët is one of the least publicised - yet one of the most authentic -. The site features several rows of menhirs arranged along a roughly east-west axis, a configuration typical of the large alignments in Morbihan. Unlike the Carnac alignments, where the massive numbers of visitors have necessitated a system of visitor rotation, Kerascouët offers a more intimate, almost confidential approach, ideal for contemplation. The stones, which vary in size, emerge from a barren moor swept by the Atlantic winds, creating a striking contrast between mineral permanence and plant fragility. What makes Kerascouët particularly remarkable is the relative state of preservation of the site as a whole: several menhirs are still standing, while others lie on the ground, the victims of centuries or human activity. This mix of standing and lying stones gives the site a raw, unmused archaeological character that speaks directly to the imagination. The visit is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the countryside and coastline of the Erdeven area. A few kilometres away, the wild coastline and dunes of Kerhillio extend the timeless dimension of the site. Photography enthusiasts will love the low light at dawn or dusk, when the silhouettes of the menhirs emerge in an almost mystical atmosphere. Listed as a Historic Monument by decree on 24 July 2023, the Kerascouët alignment now benefits from official protection, confirming the heritage value of this site, which has long been overshadowed by the famous neighbouring alignments.
Architecture
The Kerascouët alignment belongs to the category of menhir alignments, a megalithic form characteristic of the Armorican Neolithic. The site is made up of several parallel rows of standing stones, oriented along an east-west axis, in line with the conventions observed on most of the large alignments in Morbihan. The menhirs, made of local granite and metamorphic sandstone, vary in height from a few dozen centimetres to more than two metres for the most remarkable, reflecting an intentional selection of blocks according to their size and shape. The morphology of the stones is irregular, rough-cut or slightly roughened, with no apparent engraved ornamentation - this distinguishes the isolated menhirs or those in a row from the dolmens and cairns of the same region, which are sometimes decorated with spiral or crozier motifs. The spacing between the monoliths in the same row follows a logic that remains partly enigmatic, fluctuating between a few metres and around ten metres depending on the sections preserved. Some stones have toppled over or are lying on the ground, offering a glimpse of the wider base that ensured the stability of the whole. The region's clay and sand subsoil, combined with ground movements caused by freeze-thaw cycles and plant roots, explains the pronounced tilt of several menhirs. The immediate environment - gorse and fern moorland, dotted with tauzin oaks - is itself characteristic of the Morbihan coastal zone, and provides a natural setting that amplifies the impression of the site's age and isolation.
Related Figures
Prosper Mérimée — inspecteur général des Monuments Historiques au XIXe siècle, pionnier de l'inventaire des mégalithes armoricainsJames Miln — archéologue écossais ayant mené les premières fouilles systématiques dans la région de Carnac-Erdeven dans les années 1870Zacharie Le Rouzic — archéologue carnacois, continuateur des travaux de Miln et grand cartographe des alignements morbihannais au début du XXe siècleFélix Gaillard — érudit local du XIXe siècle ayant contribué à l'étude et à la documentation des sites mégalithiques d'ErdevenAlexander Thom — ingénieur et astronome britannique dont les travaux sur l'archéoastronomie des mégalithes européens ont influencé l'interprétation des alignements armoricains
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Alignement de Kerascouët located?
Alignement de Kerascouët is located in Erdeven, Département 56 department, Bretagne region, France.
Is Alignement de Kerascouët open to visitors?
Alignement de Kerascouët is currently closed to visitors.
