Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The two menhirs known as Babouin and Babouine, located in Tredion, Morbihan, date from Neolithic. These extremely hard grey-blue granite stones are mentioned for the first time in 1825 in the Essai on the Antiquities of the Morbihan by Abbé Mahé. In 1847, Cayot-Délandre noted that the largest stone was already laid. Ranked as historical monuments by decree of 10 July 1933, these remains could be fragments of the same stele later restored, associated with pagan cults.

The menhir "Baboin", 1.45 m high, has a sculpture depicting a stylized face: eyes in close strokes, a thick nose, and a hollow mouth, all framed by an engraved circle. "Babouine", larger with a height of 3.25 m, has steps and a central protuberance evoking a feminine chest, underlined by an engraved arc of circle that may appear a necklace. Other engravings, difficult to identify, adorn its upper part. Their name remains obscure, although a Jean Babouin, rewarded in 1426 by the Duke Jean V for his dedication, was able to inspire their name.

The most plausible hypothesis, put forward by Jean L. Helgouach, suggests that these stones were at the origin of menhirs detailed at a later time. Their two-mica granite and their unique iconography make them rare testimonies of the artistic and religious practices of Neolithic in Brittany. Their location in the wood of Hanvaux, in Trédion, and their classification in 1933 underline their heritage importance, despite an imprecise geographical location (level 5/10 according to Monumentum).

External links