Ancient Stone Alignments in France Confirmed as Europe’s Earliest Megalithic Region
From Stonehenge to Easter Island, megalithic structures can be found around the world. These ancient stone creations have captured the imagination for centuries, with many structures still wrapped in mystery concerning their age and their goal.
Stone alignments in the Carnac region in France were one of those elusive mysteries. But a recent study published in Antiquity Finally has some answers. Using advanced methods of data collection and dating techniques, archaeologists now have new information on the precise date and possible function of carnac megaliths.
“Thanks to nearly 50 radiocarbon dates and the application of Bayesian statistical modeling, we were able to rebuild the history of the site with unprecedented chronological precision,” said archaeologist Bettina Schulz Paulsson in a press release.
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How old are the alignments Carnac Stone?
The alignments Carnac Stone consist of more than 3,000 standing stones spread over more than six miles. They are particularly unique because the stones arrangements are located in a coastal area off Morbihan bay.
In order to collect these new data, archaeologists have excavated an area bordering Carnac known as the plasker. The team previously was unaware that this area contained evidence related to megaliths and only started to search for a development of a business park on the ground.
Although the stone structures were previously removed from the plasker, the pits in which the stones were originally remained. Using sediments and stone fragments of foundation pits, the researchers were able to get the carnac with precision megaliths For the very first time.
These stone alignments date from 4,600 and 4,300 Cal BCE in addition, the team discovered an early monumental tomb which was built around 4,700 Cal BCE The tomb was built above a Mesolithic hunter-cote hut.
“The alignments of the Carnac region now seem to be among the first megalithic monuments in Europe, this section being built between 4600 and 4300 CAL BC,” said Paulsson in the press release. “We have also confirmed Morbihan Bay as the first megalithic region of Europe.”
Dating of difficult archaeological sites
Archaeologists had trouble pinning the chronological history of the Carnac region because of its acid soils. Organic matter – like bones – which are often used to help date an area does not survive in this type of soil, which makes methods like dating with radiocarbon almost impossible. Even if the dating methods work, the results tend to be imprecise and lead to muddy conclusions.
Fortunately, this newly excavated section has given many materials to go out together – Including sediments, charcoal and stone parts. Due to the large set of data, archaeologists have been able to combine dating to the radiocarbon and statistical modeling to achieve a final estimate of the age of stone alignments.
What were Carnac Stone alignments for?
Now that they have concluded a conclusion on the date of the alignments of Carnac stone, the team focuses rather on other urgent questions such as why the megaliths were built and for which they were used.
Plasker excavations have also provided new information for this survey line. The stones’ foundation wells have been placed alongside the home, which suggests that the use and placement of the structures may have been linked to the fire.
The team hopes that future analyzes of sediment and stone fragments found in the region will clarity on the question of whether these households have been used as a light source, a kitchen location or for ceremonial celebrations. By identifying the function of the home, others will be revealed on the function of stone alignments by their side.
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