Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The dolmens of Kerhuen, located in Belz, Morbihan, form a set of two corridor dolmens dating from Neolithic. These funerary monuments, typical of the Breton region, were first reported in 1867 by W.C. Lukis, then explored in 1877 by Chapelain-Duparc, although no reports of excavations are known. The two structures, about 25 metres apart, were restored in 1932 under the direction of Zacharie Le Rouzic, who collected flakes of flint and fragments of pottery, now preserved at the Museum of Carnac.

The oriental dolmen, better preserved, opens to the southeast and has a room bounded by five orthostates, covered with a slab resting on four supports. Its corridor has six side slabs and a cover table. The western dolmen, more degraded, retains only six orthostats in the room and only one slab in the corridor, without covering. According to Le Rouzic, the site initially had four similar dolmens. The two dolmens are classified as Historical Monuments, respectively in 1921 ( Eastdolmen) and 1934 (Westdolmen).

The dolmens of Kerhuen bear witness to the funeral and architectural practices of Neolithic in Brittany. Their restoration in the 20th century preserved these remains, while providing an overview of megalithic construction techniques. Their proximity to Carnac, rich in prehistoric sites, underlines the importance of this region for the study of neolithic societies. Archaeological objects discovered during restorations, such as flints and pottery, reinforce their historical and scientific value.

External links