Construction of lechs Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Estimated period of erection of monuments.
10 juillet 1933
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 10 juillet 1933 (≈ 1933)
Official protection by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Two lechs bordering the road 19 from Carnac to Ploemel, at the entrance of the hamlet of Nignol: classification by order of 10 July 1933
Origin and history
The two Lechs of Carnac are megalithic vestiges dated to Neolithic, a period marked by the erection of stone monuments with probably funerary or symbolic vocation. Located on the edge of Route 19 linking Carnac to Ploemel, at the entrance to the hamlet of Nignol, these two lechs illustrate the importance of megalithic alignments and structures in this Breton region, known for its dense prehistoric heritage.
The site was officially recognized and protected by a classification order under the Historic Monuments on 10 July 1933. This classification applies specifically to the two lechs, now owned by the municipality of Carnac. Their location, although located via an approximate address (58 Route du Purgatoire), remains imprecise according to modern criteria, with a map accuracy estimated at 5/10 (passable).
In Neolithic, Brittany was a region where sedentary communities raised stone monuments, often linked to ritual or commemorative practices. Lechs, like other megaliths, could serve as territorial landmarks or funeral marks, reflecting a complex social organization and a notable technical mastery for the time. Their presence near communication channels, even old ones, suggests a desire for visibility or accessibility.
Available data from Monumentum and Merimée sources confirm the administrative address of the site in Morbihan (Department 56), under Insee code 56034. No additional information is provided on their precise use, construction, or possible associated artifacts, limiting the fine understanding of their role in the local neolithic society.
The current, although documented, location remains approximate, with GPS coordinates pointing to the Purgatory Route. This lack of geographical precision contrasts with their protected status, highlighting the challenges of preserving and studying megalithic sites, often dispersed and integrated into changing rural landscapes.
No historical character or specific event related to these lechs is mentioned in the available sources. Their value lies above all in their representativeness of Breton megalithism, a major cultural and architectural phenomenon of European Neolithic.
