The Saint-Michel tumulus is a megalithic grave mound, located east of Carnac in Brittany, France. It is the largest grave mound in continental Europe.

History

The tumulus was built during the fifth millennium BC. It consists of a mound of earth and stones long, wide and high. Explored in 1862, researchers found there a central vault containing fairly prestigious funerary furniture: axes, pearls, flint tools and sillimanite.

Saint-Michel tumulus

It has been classified as a "Monument historique" (National heritage site) since 1889.

Saint-Michel tumulus

Around 1900, the archaeologist again excavated the Saint-Michel tumulus and discovered a second dolmen and fifteen small stone chests, thus revealing the complexity of this monument.

Saint-Michel tumulus

Gallery

References

Archaeological sites in Brittany

Megalithic monuments in Brittany

Buildings and structures in Morbihan

Geography of Brittany

Tourist attractions in Morbihan

Monuments historiques of Morbihan

Tumuli in France

Buildings and structures completed in the 5th millennium BC