Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace
Middle Neolithic (4500-3500 BCE)·Atlantic Neolithic·🇫🇷 Brittany, Morbihan, France
About
About Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace
Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace in Brittany, Morbihan, France is a Middle Neolithic (4500-3500 BCE) tumulus attributed to Atlantic Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal citadel 8 × 6 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 47.5889N -3.0572E controls access to Brittany, Morbihan resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey tumulus for Brittany, Morbihan, illustrating Atlantic Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4000 BCE
- Period
- Middle Neolithic (4500-3500 BCE)
- Culture
- Atlantic Neolithic
- Purpose
- Burial mound with chamber and cairn kerb
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 4000 BCE
Initial construction of Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace main structure
c. 1188 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
47.5889° N · 3.0572° W · 45 m · 3 mapped features
- Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace — Main Tumulus FeatureplazaPrimary plaza at Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace — platform mound with stratified deposits47.5894° N · 3.0579° W
- Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace — Secondary EnclosurereservoirAncillary reservoir at Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace — platform mound with stratified deposits47.5908° N · 3.0567° W
- Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art PanelmoundOutlier mound panel linked to Tumulus Saint-Michel Annex Cist South — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape47.5890° N · 3.0561° W
Gallery