Brittany develops hyper-hierarchical megalithic society centered on jadeite prestige objects. From 4,600 BC, there was a huge expansion in the distribution of jadeite objects to the Morbihan region of southeast Brittany The giant Carnac tumuli were burial places for single men described as 'god kings' or supreme powers These hyper-hierarchical societies erected enormous standing stones
From 4,600 BC, jadeite objects flooded into Brittany's Morbihan region where elite 'god kings' built the giant Carnac tumuli as their burial places. Around 4,300 BC, an earthquake toppled Le Grand Menhir Brise and its aligned stones—but people deliberately dragged multiple tons across water to repurpose them in passage tombs. Standing stones there even depict giant squid and sperm whales alongside axe motifs.
Key Facts
- From 4,600 BC, there was a huge expansion in the distribution of jadeite objects to the Morbihan region of southeast Brittany
- The giant Carnac tumuli were burial places for single men described as 'god kings' or supreme powers
- These hyper-hierarchical societies erected enormous standing stones
- Around 4,300 BC, an earthquake caused Le Grand Menhir Brise (and other aligned stones) to fall
- The societies deliberately reused parts of these massive stones, sometimes dragging several tons across water to erect in passage tombs
- Iconography on standing stones includes giant squid and sperm whale depictions alongside axe and arm ring motifs
Related site: Carnac Stones — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: THE MAGICAL ALPINE AXEHEADS of Neolithic Europe | Interview with Dr. Alison Sheridan by The Prehistory Guys