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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The covered driveway of Saint-Nizon, located in Malguenac, Morbihan, is a megalithic monument dated to the Neolithic. It is included in a tumulus of 11 meters long by 7 meters wide, facing east/west. Its 7-metre-long structure consists of a 4.30-metre corridor leading to a larger room (1.60 m), which is extended by a small terminal cell. The walls consist of five orthostats on the east side and four on the south side, all of which are made of local granite. No cover table was found, but the excavations revealed an internal pavement and superimposed archaeological layers, including a layer of fine earth mixed with ashes.

The excavations, carried out around 1899-1900 by Paul Aveneau de la Grancière, allowed to discover a varied archaeological furniture: lithic tools (polished axes in diorite, flint blades, quartz scrapers), punchers, pebbles, as well as bone objects and pottery. Among these, a caliciform vase decorated with dotted motifs and strings stands out for its neat invoice. These artifacts, combined with bone remains and burning traces, suggest a funeral and ritual use of the site. The monument was classified as historic monuments by decree of 20 November 1963, thus recognizing its heritage importance.

Covered lane illustrates the architectural and cultural practices of Neolithic in Brittany. Its orientation, its internal structure and the furniture discovered testify to a complex social organisation, marked by elaborate funeral rites. The presence of ash and charcoal indicates fire-related activities, possibly cremations or offerings. Polished stone tools and pottery reflect advanced craftsmanship, typical of this period of transition to agriculture and sedentarization. The site, although partially altered by time, remains a significant example of Breton megalithism.

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