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Origin and history

Crucuno's cromlech, also known as Crucuno's quadrilateral, is a megalithic building located in the village of Crucuno in Plouharnel, Morbihan. Although often presented as a neolithic astronomical observatory, today's visible monument results in a controversial restoration conducted in 1883 by Felix Gaillard. This intervention profoundly altered its original structure, giving it a rectangular shape oriented to the cardinal points and solstice, while earlier surveys suggested a more complex and extensive layout.

The first records of the site date back to 1832, with a survey of Mr.Vicars describing 36 monoliths organized in 7 queues. In 1847, Cayot-Delandre evokes menhirs "confoundingly arranged", while a plan of 1883, post-restoration, shows 22 stones without a central element. In 1973, two central slabs, revealed by erosion, revived discussions on its original function. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1889, the site illustrates the challenges of preserving the remains, where modern interpretations can irreparably alter their authenticity.

Pre-remediation documents, including cadastral surveys, indicate that the cromlech initially covered an area four times larger, with about 50 menhirs. The present form, the fruit of Gaillard's astronomical theories, has inspired abundant but disputed literature based on an "unjustly restored" site. This story raises questions about the ethics of archaeological restorations and the reliability of later interpretations, especially when they are based on human changes rather than tangible evidence.

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