Construction of tumulus Âge du Bronze (≈ 1500 av. J.-C.)
Estimated period of construction.
1854
Illegal search
Illegal search 1854 (≈ 1854)
Death of two buried searchers.
1865
Searches by Abbé Le Foil
Searches by Abbé Le Foil 1865 (≈ 1865)
Discovery of gold and bronze objects.
1889
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 1889 (≈ 1889)
Official tumulus protection.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Dolmen en tumulus Danouédou (Case E 49; 1999 YI 20): classification by list of 1889
Key figures
Abbé Le Foil - Rector of Plesidy
Directed the excavations in 1865.
Évêque de Saint-Brieuc - Amateur of antiques
Recipient of discovered artifacts.
V. Micault - Author of report
Describes the vault and its objects.
Origin and history
The tumulus of Tanouédou, located in Bourbriac in the Côtes-d'Armor, is a funerary monument dating from the Bronze Age. It was first explored in 1854 clandestinely by a farmer and her son, who died buried in a gallery they had dug. These unauthorized excavations partially revealed the archaeological riches of the site, but without precise documentation.
In 1865, Abbé Le Foil, rector of Plesidy, undertook more methodical excavations and passed on the discovered objects to the bishop of Saint-Brieuc, who was passionate about antiques. According to V. Micault's reports, the tumulus housed a wooden vault containing remarkable artifacts: an axe, four daggers adorned with gold nails, two locks and a gold twist. These evidences attest to the ritual and social importance of the site at Bronze Age.
The tumulus was classified as historical monuments in 1889, recognizing its heritage value. Subsequent studies, such as those conducted by Jacques Briard and his collaborators in the 1960s and 1970s, have improved understanding of his structure and archaeological context. The site, measuring about 6 meters high, remains a major testimony of funeral practices of this time in Brittany.
