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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Menhir des Faux is a quartz block erected during the Neolithic period, located in the municipality of Sorinières, in the Loire-Atlantique department. This monument, typical of the megalithic buildings of the time, bears witness to the cultural and religious practices of the prehistoric populations of the region. Its location in the local landscape reflects the symbolic importance of menhirs, often associated with territorial rites or landmarks.

Over the centuries, the menhir has undergone a visible Christianization by adding a cross at its top, illustrating the reappropriation of pagan sites by the Christian religion. This change, frequent in Europe, shows the desire to mark old places of worship with new symbols. The monument was officially recognized and protected as a Historic Monument by an order of 12 February 1984.

The location of the menhir, near Nantes in the Pays de la Loire, is part of a territory rich in megalithic remains. These monuments, scattered throughout the region, offer an overview of the social and spiritual networks of neolithic communities. Their preservation now allows us to study the techniques of size, transport and erection of stones, as well as their role in the organisation of prehistoric societies.

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