The Carnac Stone Alignments

Out of hundreds of megalithic sites across Europe , alone a few has achieved popularity , such every bit the Stonehenge. But other sites are no less intriguing. One that y'all mightiness accept never heard of is located inwards the hamlet of Carnac , inwards Brittany , on the north-west coast of France. Here , ready inwards the opened upward fields are to a greater extent than than 3 ,000 standing stones arranged inwards long rows of parallel lines , called “alignments” , some of which stretch for several hundred meters. Believed to accept erected during the Neolithic menstruation , in all probability about 3300 BC , it is the largest megalithic site inwards the world.

carnac-alignments-stone-6

Photo credit: barclakj/Flickr

There are 3 major groups of rock alignments inwards Carnac. In ancient times , they may accept belonged to the same grouping , but every bit stones were removed past times afterwards generations 3 distinct groups of stones emerged. The largest of these grouping , the then called “Kermario alignment” , consist of 1 ,029 stones arranged inwards 10 rows as well as run for over a kilometer. The “Ménec alignment” too runs over a kilometer , has twelve rows as well as contains around 1 ,100 standing stones. The “Kerlescan alignment” is nearly 800 meters , has 13 rows as well as contains nearly 555 stones.

The significance of these structure , particularly the alignments , accept been debated for centuries. Some advise that the alignments were used for ceremonial or religious purposes. Others believe they served to a greater extent than practical purposes such every bit making celestial predictions , or determining the optimal fourth dimension for planting as well as harvesting to assistance ancient farmers. They mightiness too accept served every bit territorial markers. Nobody actually knows.

Originally , the province about the alignments were used for pasture as well as grazing. Some of the dolmens were used every bit sheep shelters , chicken sheds or fifty-fifty ovens. Stones were too normally removed to brand means for roads or every bit edifice materials. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 large pose out of the alignments are directly protected , as well as surrounded past times fencing.

carnac-alignments-stone-1