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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Bed of Saint-Jean de Guimaëc is a small covered alley, typical of Breton megalithism. Located about 400 metres from the Chapel of Christ on the road to Fry, this monument consists of four orthostats on each side, delimiting an oval space of 3.50 m long for 1.50 m wide. The stones, diorite, reach up to 1.30 m high. Three roof tables (an average size of 1.62 m by 1.50 m) still partially protect the structure, while the entrance is marked by three imposing blocks, the largest of which is 3 m by 1.90 m. The bedside is closed by a massive stone, reinforcing the monumental aspect of the ensemble.

Ranked a Historical Monument by order of July 25, 1930, the Bed of Saint John delivered a polished axe around 1890, testifying to its funeral or ritual use during the Neolithic. Although some sources initially locate it in Squiffiec (Côtes-d的Armor), official data from the Merimée database clearly place it in Guimaëc, Finistère, with geographical accuracy considered "a priori satisfactory". Its state of conservation and structure make it a remarkable example of the collective burials of that time.

Covered aisles such as Guimaëc's were often associated with community funeral practices in the Neolithic. Their construction reflects a complex social organization, capable of mobilizing significant resources and labour to build sustainable monuments. The discovery of objects such as polished axes suggests exchanges or votive deposits, although the details specific to this site remain partially documented. Diorite, a local rock, indicates exploitation of available materials within a close radius, characteristic of Breton megaliths.

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