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Origin and history

The Menhir de Pen-Guen, also known as the Menhir de la Saline, is an emblematic megalithic monument located in the municipality of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys, in the Morbihan department. This menhir, dated from the Neolithic, testifies to the importance of megalithic constructions in this Breton region, rich in prehistoric remains. It was officially recognized for its heritage value by an inscription as historic monuments on 9 September 1968.

The menhir is distinguished by its modest but remarkable dimensions: it reaches a height of 1.50 metres with a width of 1.90 metres. Its location, near La Saline, suggests a possible link to ancient salt mining activities, although this hypothesis is not explicitly confirmed by available sources. The site is now referenced in the Merimée database under the cadastral code B 772p, and its approximate address is 5197 La Saline, in Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys.

The Neolithic period, at which this menhir was erected, corresponds to an era of profound social and economic transformations in Brittany. Local communities, sedentary, develop agriculture, breeding and ritual or funeral practices often associated with megaliths. These monuments, such as the Pen-Guen Menhir, could serve as territorial landmarks, places of worship or symbols of power for the human groups of the time. Their preservation makes it possible today to study these missing societies and their relation to the landscape.

The inclusion of the menhir as historical monuments in 1968 reflects the desire to protect this fragile heritage, threatened by erosion or human activities. Although the practical information about his visit remains limited, his location in Morbihan, a department that is particularly rich in megalithic sites, makes him a key element of the prehistoric Breton heritage. Available sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight its archaeological interest, while inviting further research to clarify its history and its original function.

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