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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Maen ar Rannou de Guimaëc is a megalithic monument of the Lec'h type, typical of the Neolithic period in Brittany. This erect stone block, now part of the wall of the ancient cemetery of Guimaëc, illustrates the funeral and commemorative practices of the prehistoric societies of the region. Its registration as a Historic Monument in 1955 underscores its heritage importance, although its precise location remains approximate (level 5/10 depending on the sources).

Lec'hs (stones erected in Breton) were often associated with Neolithic burials or territorial markers. Guimaëc, the property of the commune, bears witness to the former occupation of this Finistère territory. Its subsequent integration into the enclosure of a Christian cemetery reflects the frequent re-appropriation of these monuments by the later communities, thus mixing prehistoric memory and more recent traditions.

The protection of the Maen ar Rannou by decree of 27 October 1955 aims to preserve this fragile vestige, whose exact location (80 Plasenn An Ilitz) remains subject to geographical uncertainties. Available data from the Merimée database and Monumentum do not specify its exact original use, but its status as a Historic Monument makes it a key element of the Breton megalithic heritage.

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