dAf 23
BRIARD Jacques
Mégalithes de haute Bretagne
Les monuments de la forêt de Brocéliande et du Ploërmelais : structures, mobilier et environnement
The abundance of megaliths on the cost of Brittany has hidden for a long time the existence of megaliths inside the peninsula. This work summarizes four years on the field (1982-1985) and brings new informations about this type of architecture, ignored until now, through three monuments from the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. Laboratory studies add to classical field data informations allowing to replace the megaliths in their environment and to demonstrate the existence of an economic system based upon exchange, ending the myth of autarky inside "the large forest" This work also analyses modern acculturations of these monuments settled in an area where celtic and arthurian logend is still very much alive.
Abstract
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Megaliths in Central Brittany had been neglected for many years despite some pioneer works such as F. Bellamy's. Often monuments appeared in the 19th century only as elements of the Arthurian legend. More recently new excavations have been carried out in the area of Saint-Just (Ille-et-Vilaine).Then, in the Brocéliande forest, three megaliths have been studied : the Hotié de Viviane, the Tombeau des Géants and the Jardin aux Moines (1982-1986). This program consisted of three main aims : heritage preservation, the study of original megaliths and problems of environment in concertation with the modern researches of the Paimpont Biological Station (University of Rennes 1).
PART ONE : EXCAVATIONS PROSPECTING AND CHRONOLOGY
1. THE «HOTIÉ» DE VIVIANE EXCAVATION (1902-1983)
The Hotié de Viviane is a large megalithic cist with 12 orthostats, 2.90 m long and 1.60 m wide, erected on a schistose crest (191 m). The excavation has shown a beautiful barrow with small oblique slabs and a median separation inside the cairn. Despite a former excavation, we found an interesting archaeological material in 1983 : rough Late Neolithic sherds, stone pebble pendants, grindstones, some in granite from Morbihan, dolerite axes from Plussulien (Côtes-du-Nord), flints, etc. This monument appears to be contemporary with the gallery graves of the Breton Late Neolithic, towards 2,500 BC, as the cist of Lost-er-Len in the Morbihan.
2. THE« TOMBEAUDESGÉANTS» EXCAVATION(1982)
The Tombeau des Géants is a large megalithic cist with two big lateral stones, 4.25 m long. The capstone is also a great block, now Iying near the cist. The excavation showed the existence of a little stone cairn. Grave-goods were poor : some yellow flint blades and some sherds. Further West, 8 m away, was laying a menhir 4.25 m long with socket holes at each end. This Early Bronze Age grave had probably been built with stones from a Neolithic stone alignment. The same reutilization of a Neolithic monument in the Early Bronze Age has been noticed at Saint-Just (Ille-et-Vilaine).
3. THE« JARDIN AUX MOINES» BARROW EXCAVATION (1983-1984)
The Jardin aux Moines was described in the late 19th century as a long barrow with lateral slabs. Other similar barrows are known in its neighbourhood. The Jardin aux Moines is built with pudding conglomerate stones coming from about 4 km and local red schist. The barrow is 25 m long and 6 m wide. The grave-goods are poor : Late Neolithic sherds, flints, stones. Two Late Neolithic pots were found outside the barrow, close to the South-East wall where an accumulation of stones probably a grave - has been found. Other monuments such as this one are known in Brittany : Carnac, Le Quillio, Saint-Just, Le Brétineau... The Jardin aux Moines has been reused in the Early Bronze Age, as shown by a sm ail hearth dated from 2,000 BC by radiocarbon. Inside were flints such as a pedonculated arrow-head.
4. THE VILLE BOUQUET GALLERY-GRAVE PROSPECTION (1985)
The Ville Bouquet gallery-grave is a short incomplete megalith, 6.50 m long and 1.20 m wide. It is situated on a sandstone crest above the Ninian valley. In 1985 trenches have shown paving stones and pottery (Late Neolithic and Beaker). Outside, a small cairn was identified. In the neighbourhood, medieval sherds have also been found, probably from a small hill-settlement. Other gallery-graves have been studied (Le Hino) or identified (Le Haut-Bezon) in Ploërmel.
5. MEGALITHS IN BROCÉLIANDE AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOD (1D975-1985)
A small grave with beaker was found in La Guette, Paimpont. Other similar graves have been recently excavated in the area of the Lanvaux moor (Morbihan). Another Bronze Age grave, disturbed in medieval times, has been discovered at Augan (Morbihan). Settlements are not known except some enclosures with small stones in Tréhorenteuc (Morbihan). Gallery-graves are numerous outside the Brocéliande forest, with some Loire type dolmens.
PART TWO : ENVIRONMENT AND EVOLUTION
1. MEGALITHS AND GEOLOGY lN BROCÉLIANDE AND THE PLOËRMEL AREA
Regional geology includes Brioverian and Paleozoic formations (Montfort conglomerate and purple schists). The distribution shows a megalithic concentration around the purple schist crests.
2. PALEOENVIRONMENT IN THE BROCÉLIANDE FOREST
Neolithic monuments were erected in a half deforested area. Outside the forest, cereal cultivation occured (Ploërmel). Anthropic action has been more important during the Bronze Age.
3. CERAMOLOGY AND MEGALITHS
The ceramological study shows the origin of the raw materials : weathered granits, metamorphic formations and sponge spicula clays in the case of the medieval pottery.
4. MEGALITHIC EVOLUTION AND BRONZEA GE
Recent excavations show megalithic variants and their evolution. Some single graves appear in Chalcolithic times (Beakers) and Early Bronze Age. Hoards are specific to the Middle and Late Bronze Age, as well as some outstanding gold objects such as the Paimpont cup.
EPILOGUE : MEGALITHS AND MODERN ACCULTURATIONS
Megaliths' preservation is still difficult to impose : some have been recently destroyed. Modern acculturations are various : Arthurian and Celtic legends, pagan or christian esoterism, ecology... In this strange ballet megaliths are not only monuments but also supports for legend.
