Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The dolmens of Kervadol, located in the commune of Plobannalec-Lesconil in Finistère (British), date from Neolithic. They were first mentioned in 1876 by René-François Le Men, then searched and described in detail by Paul du Châtellier around 1880. The latter distinguished two groups of megaliths: a first, now extinct, composed of a covered gallery and open chambers under a tumulus of 30 meters in diameter, and a second group still visible, including two dolmens 9 meters distant, surrounded by side chambers and covered with a tumulus of 24 meters in diameter. These structures, facing south-north, were classified as historical monuments in 1922.

The excavations of Paul du Châtellier revealed remarkable funeral furniture in the two dolmens. The eastern dolmen was home to a 1.90 m by 2.40 m cover table, under which were discovered a flint cut into a spear, two vases (including a decorated with conical nipples), engraved slate washers, and bone remains accompanied by coals. The side chamber delivered polished axes made of flint, shrapnel of size, and coarse pottery studs. The western dolmen, partially collapsed, contained a quartz arrow tip, a grey flint blade, as well as ornamental vases and a stone to crush the cereals.

In the vicinity, a circular tubular terrace (6 m in diameter) topped by a small menhir was home to an incineration pit. It contained ashes, coals, a terracotta vase mould, two diorite polished axes, an unfinished stone hammer, and unknown lithic objects. This terter, searched by the Châtellier, bears witness to various funeral practices during the Neolithic, combining burials and cremations. Dolmens and their environment thus illustrate the importance of megalithic sites in the rituals and social life of prehistoric Breton communities.

The dolmens of Kervadol, owned by the municipality, are now freely accessible. Their ranking in 1922 and the 19th century excavations made it a key site for understanding the funerary architecture and customs of the Armenian Neolithic. The objects discovered, preserved and studied offer valuable insight into the craft techniques and beliefs of that time.

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