The Carnac Stones are a megalithic site located in northwestern France near the Gulf of Morbihan in the commune of Carnac, Brittany. Dating back to the Neolithic period, they comprise over 3,000 stones, making it one of the largest concentrations of prehistoric carved stones in the world.
Megaliths are widely distributed across Europe, Africa, and Asia, with the highest concentrations found in Western Europe, especially in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France. There are approximately 50,000 megaliths, with the stones near Carnac considered some of the most enigmatic. Some stones bear carvings, while others are randomly scattered throughout the region. Unlike Stonehenge, the Carnac stones originate from local areas surrounding the site.
In northwestern France, there is a mysterious area known as the “forest of stone statues,” attracting many archaeologists eager to unravel its mysteries. The “forest of stone statues” is located in the village of Carnac, home to 4,000 residents, in the Brittany region, encompassing a hillside with over 3,000 standing stones.
These more than 3,000 standing stones are arranged in 13 rows, stretching over 12 kilometers. To date, scientists have not found a precise and convincing explanation for why ancient people constructed these stones in such alignment; it is known, however, that they were created by prehistoric humans thousands of years ago.
Carnac Stones.
Some scientists suggest that the standing stones were erected to create a sacred path for the gods. More complex theories propose that the stones served as a structure for astronomical research, to determine the positions of the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies.
The stones are standing upright.
However, the legend told by the people of Carnac differs greatly. It is said that each stone represents a Roman soldier. According to the tale, Christianity’s holy power transformed the Roman army marching through this area into stones.
This megalithic site was constructed over 3,000 years.
Using modern methods, scientists confirm that this megalithic site was constructed over a very long period, from 7,000 to 4,000 years ago, meaning it was built continuously for 3,000 years. This extended construction process over a vast area has made Carnac the largest megalithic site in the world.
Most stones are carved with simple shapes.
All the standing stones are monolithic and singular. Their sizes also vary; some stones are only 1 meter tall, while others reach up to 20 meters. Most of the stones are carved with simple geometric shapes, primarily triangles, which were commonly used by the ancient Celts, symbolizing Christianity. This symbol also represents cosmic harmony.
There is a new hypothesis suggesting this is a gigantic cemetery.
Recently, scientists have leaned towards the hypothesis that this was a gigantic cemetery. Prehistoric people may have buried their bodies elsewhere, or animals consumed the remains, and they erected stones to commemorate the deceased. By observing these stones, one could discern the status of the deceased. The poor would have a small stone, while the wealthy would be remembered with massive stones weighing dozens of tons.
One can tell the status of the deceased just by looking at the stones.
Over the millennia, local residents have exploited limestone for building, significantly reducing the size of the ancient cemetery. Had it not been for human destruction, the scale of this megalithic site would be unimaginable—potentially ten times larger than it is today.
