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Origin and history

The menhirs of Kernars are two imposing granite blocks erected during the Neolithic period, located in Saint Barthélemy, Morbihan. They stand on an alluvial terrace about 500 meters northeast of Blavet, in a field 150 meters west of the hamlet of Kernars. Located 6 metres apart, these menhirs are oriented north-west/south-east, although slightly disoriented. Their size varies: the largest measure is 4.20 metres high with a maximum width of 2.90 metres, while the second, triangular, reaches 3.20 metres high.

The site was recognized for its archaeological importance and classified as historical monuments by order of 9 August 1932. This classification reflects the desire to preserve these vestiges of the past, characteristic of Breton megalithic constructions. Menhirs, typical of this region, illustrate the cultural and religious practices of neolithic societies, which erected these stones for reasons that were still partially mysterious, but often linked to rituals or territorial markers.

The menhirs of Kernars are part of a larger megalithic landscape, typical of Morbihan, a region particularly rich in prehistoric monuments. Their presence in a field, near a watercourse, suggests a strategic location, possibly linked to old agricultural activities or communication routes. Their study, notably by archaeologists such as Philippe Gouézin, contributes to a better understanding of neolithic societies in interior Brittany.

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