Saint-Michel tumulus
The Tumulus of St. Michel is a megalithic grave mound, located east of Carnac in Brittany, France.[1] It is the largest grave mound in continental Europe.
![]() | |
Location | Carnac, France |
---|---|
Region | Brittany |
Coordinates | 47.58779°N 3.07341°W |
Type | Tumulus |
Length | 125 metres (410 ft) |
Width | 60 metres (200 ft) |
Height | 10 metres (33 ft) |
History
The tumulus was built during the fifth millennium BC.
The Saint-Michel tumulus consists of a mound of earth and stones 125 metres (410 ft) long, 50 metres (160 ft) wide and 10 metres (33 ft) high.[1] Explored in 1862, researchers found there a central vault containing a fairly prestigious funerary furniture : axes, pearls, flint tools and sillimanite.
It is the subject of a classification as "Monument historique" (National heritage site) since 1889.
Around 1900, the archaeologist Zacharie Le Rouzic again excavated the Saint-Michel tumulus and discovered a second dolmen and fifteen small stone chests, thus revealing the complexity of this monument.