En se basant sur les acquis des dernières recherches, l'auteur retrace, dans une première partie, l'histoire de ces temples du Néolithique, leur signification, la société qui les a générés et les hommes qui les ont construits. La seconde partie propose, par l'image commentée, une promenade parmi les 3 champs de menhirs de Kerlescan, Kermario et Le Ménec. ©Electre 2025
The carnac alignments
The first alignments of menhirs appeared during the neolithic period. A source of myths and legends, the stones were long thought to have been erected by giants. Today, although many questions remain, archaeologists agree that these alignments bear witness not only to the transformation of religious practices, but also to prehistoric man's desire to leave a mark on his territory.
The Carnac alignments are exceptional because of their size-they extend over 4 kilometres-and because of the number of surviving menhirs-despite some destruction, there are still nearly three thousand of them. The site also features dolmens and tumuli, funerary monuments.
Surprisingly, it was not until the early 19th century that the alignments aroused interest beyond simple scholarly curiosity. In 1834 Victor Hugo wrote that the Carnac menhirs « are hugely impressive ». Eugène Sue went into raptures over the « gigantic pillars of a temple vaulted by the sky ». Guy de Maupassant later remarked : « When one looks at them steadily they seem to move, to bend, to become infused with life ! »
« On this pink expanse stands an entire people, an entire people of menhirs with the bearing of weary, hunchbacked giants. I lie in the heather and look up at the world of old stone ghosts rising beneath the heavy grey sky. »
Pierre Loti, Journal, 27 June 1879.
Paru le : 21/06/2012
Thématique : Préhistoire
Auteur(s) : Auteur : Anne Belaud de Saulce
Éditeur(s) :
Editions du patrimoine
Collection(s) : Regards...
Série(s) : Non précisé.
ISBN : 978-2-7577-0201-7
EAN13 : 9782757702017
Reliure : Broché
Pages : 63
Hauteur: 26.0 cm / Largeur 25.0 cm
Épaisseur: 0.6 cm
Poids: 402 g
Carte fidélité
Mollat Radio
