Cairn du Petit Mont
Petit Mont cairn · Arzon cairn
Early to Late Neolithic·Morbihan Atlantic Neolithic·🇫🇷 Brittany, Morbihan, Rhuys Peninsula, Arzon, France
About
About Cairn du Petit Mont
Massive three-phase cairn on Rhuys Peninsula promontory dominating Quiberon Bay entrance: Phase I small passage grave (3800 BCE), Phase II larger passage grave with engraved orthostats (3500 BCE) featuring unique anthropomorphic slab, Phase III huge trapezoidal cairn 60 m long covering both. Contains Early Neolithic decorated slabs reused with art hidden inside. Bunker WWII on top, panorama to Gavrinis. Excavated by Zacharie Le Rouzic 1904, modern 1979–88 Lecornec.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Anthropomorphic slab — deity or ancestor portrait hidden in masonry
Theories
- 01Promontory marker controlling Gulf of Morbihan entrance, paired with Gavrinis across bay
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 3800–3000 BCE (three phases)
- Period
- Early to Late Neolithic
- Culture
- Morbihan Atlantic Neolithic
- Purpose
- Promontory passage-grave cairn with successive expansions
- Abandoned
- Bronze Age; WWII bunker reuse
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1904 Le Rouzic; 1979–88 Lecornec restoration
- Excavation
- Excavated
3800–3000 BCE (three phases)
Initial construction
c. 1152 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
47.5367° N · 2.9021° W · 35 m · 3 mapped features
Lower passage grave (Phase I)
passage tomb3800 BCE small passage grave under core
47.5367° N · 2.9021° WUpper passage grave with art
passage tomb3500 BCE passage with engraved orthostats including anthropomorph
47.5368° N · 2.9020° WWWII bunker
bunkerGerman blockhouse built atop cairn 1942, now viewpoint
47.5370° N · 2.9022° W
Gallery