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Origin and history

The Menhir de Lanvenael is a megalithic monument erected during the Neolithic period, located in the municipality of Plomeur, in the Finistère department. This imposing stone block, measuring 4.70 m high for 2.70 m wide and 0.75 m thick, has a characteristic ovoid shape. It was classified as historic monuments on March 3, 1923, recognizing its archaeological and heritage significance.

The excavations carried out around 1880 by archaeologist Paul du Châtellier revealed significant artifacts at its base: a broken diorite axe, pottery tensions attributed to Campaniform culture, flint, millstone fragments and horse bones. These discoveries, buried in a thick layer of ash, suggest ritual or funeral practices associated with menhir, although their exact interpretation remains debated.

The site illustrates the importance of megaliths in Breton Neolithic societies, where these monuments probably served as territorial landmarks, places of worship or memorials. The presence of objects of the Campaniforme (Cook Age) indicates a re-use or use of the site well after its initial erection, emphasizing its persistence in local cultural practices.

The bibliographical references, including Paul du Châtellier's works published in 1881, as well as subsequent studies such as those of Aubrey Burl in 1987, document the continuing interest in this menhir. Today, it is one of Finistère's protected megalithic sites, accessible to researchers and the public for its historical and symbolic value.

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