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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The dolmen and menhir de Kerivoret form a megalithic ensemble located in the commune of Porspoder, in the Finistère department, in Brittany. These two monuments date from the Neolithic and are among the most important archaeological remains of the region. The dolmen, consisting of five orthostats and a covering slab, is 4.20 m long for 1.60 m wide, while the menhir, located 25 m east, peaks at 3.50 m. Several types of local granite, such as the Aber-Ildut granite, have been used for their construction.

The two megaliths were mentioned on the cadastral plan of 1842, attesting to their ancient presence in the landscape. Their heritage value was officially recognized by a classification as historical monuments on 27 December 1923. According to Alfred Devoir's observations, the menhir would have an astronomical function: in the equinox, it would mask the rising sun for an observer placed under the dolmen, suggesting a possible ritual or calendar use.

The dolmen is distinguished by its cover table exceeding orthostats, measuring 4.60 m long and 4 m wide, with a thickness of 0.75 m. The materials used reflect a thorough knowledge of local geological resources, with various granites (porphyroid, pegmatitic) chosen for their properties. Menhir, on the other hand, is a monolithic block of granite from the Aber-Ildut, typical of Breton megalithic constructions.

These monuments illustrate the funeral and symbolic practices of Neolithic in Brittany. Their preservation allows us to study the construction techniques, beliefs and social organization of the prehistoric communities of the region. Their classification among historical monuments underlines their importance for the French archaeological heritage.

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