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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Mané-Groh Dolmen, also known as Mané Grah, is a dolmen with a corridor located in Erdeven, Morbihan. This megalithic monument, dated from the Neolithic, is distinguished by its complex architecture: a 6-metre-long corridor leading to a rectangular chamber divided into four side cells. Each cell and corridor were initially covered with slabs, some of which have now disappeared. The dolmen was originally integrated into a tumulus, now almost entirely eroded. A second dolmen in ruins nearby attests to the megalithic density of the site.

Archaeological excavations marked the history of the monument. In 1866, W. C. Lukis explored the site without published results. In 1883, Felix Gaillard searched a small adjacent megalithic chest, probably included in the original tumulus. The dolmen was classified as historical monuments in 1889, recognizing its heritage value. These interventions have partially documented the structure, although many questions remain about its ritual or funeral use.

A remarkable element of Mané-Groh's dolmen is its engraved decor, discovered by Serge Cassen. On the outer side of a corridor slab is a partial representation of an axe, a jet butt and a ring. This engraving, truncated by erosion or structural changes, suggests a symbolism linked to neolithic practices. The slab supporting these patterns was partially carved to accommodate a blanket table, thus altering the original scene.

The site is part of a wider megalithic landscape, characteristic of the Morbihan coast. About 40 meters to the northwest, the remains of a second dolmen, now reduced to two supports and a lying slab, testify to the ancient occupation of the territory. These monuments, often associated with funeral or cultural practices, reflect the social and spiritual organization of the Neolithic communities of the region. Their preservation, though partial, offers a valuable insight into the construction techniques and beliefs of the time.

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