Carnac

Site of prehistoric megaliths in Brittany, France, where remains of tombs and stone alignments of the period 2000 to 1500 BC (Neolithic and early Bronze Age) are found. Stones removed for local building have left some gaps in the alignments.

There are various groups of menhirs round the village of Carnac in the département of Morbihan, situated at Kermario (place of the dead), Kerlescan (place of burning), Erdeven, and St-Barbe. The largest of the stone alignments has 1,000 blocks of grey granite up to 4 m/13 ft high, extending over 2 km/1.2 mi. These menhirs (standing stones) are arranged in 11 parallel rows, with a circle at the western end.

Stone circles and alignments are thought to be associated with astronomical and religious ritual, and those at Carnac may possibly have been used for calculating the phases of the moon.