A new study has shed light on the enigmatic Neolithic megalith structures at Carnac in Brittany, providing insights into their purpose and chronology. For centuries, the stone arrangements have intrigued historians, often compared to landmarks like Stonehenge. However, recent excavations at Le Plasker, a previously unexplored section of the Carnac complex, have revealed important archaeological finds, including preserved foundation pits of standing stones surrounding a monumental tomb and multiple cooking pits. This excavation, led by Audrey Blanchard from Archeodunum and the University of Gothenburg, aimed to gather data before construction of a business park on the site.

The results of their findings have been published in the journal Antiquity. This Franco-Swedish collaboration, funded by the ERC’s NEOSEA project, successfully dated the alignments, which span over ten kilometers and consist of more than 3,000 standing stones. Archaeological efforts in Brittany have faced challenges, particularly in preserving organic remains due to the area’s alkaline soils. Past excavations struggled to produce detailed dating, but the Le Plasker team implemented modern excavation techniques and systematic sampling, achieving reliable radiocarbon dates from various organic materials.

This approach provided a high-precision chronology for the site, revealing that the alignments were constructed between 4600 and 4300 cal BC, making them some of the earliest megalithic monuments in Europe. Interestingly, evidence of Late Mesolithic occupation dating from 5700 to 5100 BC was found, indicating the site’s long-lived significance. The construction of monumental tombs around 4700 BC marked a transition in burial practices, complemented by the later addition of colossal standing stones and cooking pits, suggesting communal activities. This comprehensive research emphasizes that the development of the Carnac megalithic landscape occurred over centuries, driven by cultural continuity and social traditions.