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Origin and history

The menhirs of Goresto are a group of three megaliths located in Canihuel, in the Côtes-d'Armor department, Brittany. These monuments date from the Neolithic and are distinguished by their various layout and dimensions. The main menhir, isolated from the other two, peaks at 5.60 meters high and carries the traces of a lightning impact at its top. Made of local granite, these menhirs illustrate the funeral or ritual practices of the Neolithic societies of the region.

Menhir No. 1, the most imposing, was added to the additional inventory of historic monuments in 1969, recognizing its heritage value. The other two menhirs, more modest with heights of 2.30 meters and 1.45 meters, are 6.20 meters apart and share the same geological characteristics. Their alignment and proximity suggest a symbolic or functional intention, although their exact use remains subject to interpretation.

The location of the menhirs, reported at "1 Goresto, 22480 Canihuel", enjoys a geographical accuracy considered fair (level 5/10). These monuments are part of a larger megalithic landscape, typical of the Guingamp district, where many similar sites have been identified. Their study, notably by researchers such as Loïc Langouët, contributes to a better understanding of Breton Neolithic cultures.

The legal protection of Menhir No. 1, formalized by a decree of 22 July 1969, underlines the importance of preserving these remains in the face of natural and human hazards. The visible slit at the top of the main menhir, attributed to a lightning strike, recalls the vulnerability of these millennia. Today, these menhirs remain accessible to the public, offering a tangible testimony of the first sedentary communities of Brittany.

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