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Frenchpostcardsofmegaliths

@PhilWat09037421

Tweeting old French postcards of French megalithic sites. Check out the pinned tweet for my books on this subject.

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calendar_today17-04-2018 20:40:13

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These are some of the 18 tall menhirs which form the straight eastern edge of the cromlech at the western end of the alignments at Kerlescan in Carnac (Morbihan). The other sides are slightly curved but many stones have been robbed over the years.

These are some of the 18 tall menhirs which form the straight eastern edge of the cromlech at the western end of the alignments at Kerlescan in Carnac (Morbihan). The other sides are slightly curved but many stones have been robbed over the years.
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The impressive octagonal Iron Age stele of Grouaneg in Plouguerneau (Finistère) stands a little over 3m tall; a small cross was added in the Mediaeval period. When I last visited it was still embedded in a wall by the side of the road with a farm behind. .

The impressive octagonal Iron Age stele of Grouaneg in Plouguerneau (Finistère) stands a little over 3m tall; a small cross was added in the Mediaeval period. When I last visited it was still embedded in a wall by the side of the road with a farm behind. #StandingStoneSunday.
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This is the decorated orthostat from the allée couverte of Aveny in Dampsmesnil (Eure). It has 3 U-shaped devices above 2 small bosses, usually interpreted as a 3-strand necklace above 2 breasts. Similar decoration is found in 4 or 5 other Seine-Oise-Marne allées couvertes.

This is the decorated orthostat from the allée couverte of Aveny in Dampsmesnil (Eure). It has 3 U-shaped devices above 2 small bosses, usually interpreted as a 3-strand necklace above 2 breasts. Similar decoration is found in 4 or 5 other Seine-Oise-Marne allées couvertes.
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The dolmen of L’Etiau in Coutures (Maine-et-Loire) is unusual as two in situ natural boulders have been used to form the sides of the chamber to which were added a terminal slab and a 3.5x3m capstone. Two smaller stones at the front may be from a portal entrance.

The dolmen of L’Etiau in Coutures (Maine-et-Loire) is unusual as two in situ natural boulders have been used to form the sides of the chamber to which were added a terminal slab and a 3.5x3m capstone. Two smaller stones at the front may be from a portal entrance.
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Only the truly monumental chamber of the passage grave at Crucuno in Plouharnel (Morbihan) survives. This card from 1905 or earlier by a photographer called Beaumont shows its position at the heart of the village where it still stands today.

Only the truly monumental chamber of the passage grave at Crucuno in Plouharnel (Morbihan) survives. This card from 1905 or earlier by a photographer called Beaumont shows its position at the heart of the village where it still stands today.
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Early start today so just a quick post of this card by Artaud-Nozais, which did not appear in volume 2, of the Grand Menhir Brisé in Locmariaquer (Morbihan). It shows 3 of the 4 fragments and their enormity is clearly indicated by the figures standing on top.

Early start today so just a quick post of this card by Artaud-Nozais, which did not appear in volume 2, of the Grand Menhir Brisé in Locmariaquer (Morbihan). It shows 3 of the 4 fragments and their enormity is clearly indicated by the figures standing on top.
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The Dolmen of Briande I in Arçay (Vienne) has a long narrow chamber (10m long x 1.8m wide) covered by a single capstone,now broken in two, resting on seven surviving orthostats. Possible evidence for a portal suggests it was a dolmen angevin. .

The Dolmen of Briande I in Arçay (Vienne) has a long narrow chamber (10m long x 1.8m wide) covered by a single capstone,now broken in two, resting on seven surviving orthostats. Possible evidence for a portal suggests it was a dolmen angevin. #TombTuesday.
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This is the 5.3m tall granite menhir of Kerallain in Plouguernével (Côtes-d’Armor) this morning. In the middle of a recently planted field so couldn’t get up close or cover all angles.

This is the 5.3m tall granite menhir of Kerallain in Plouguernével (Côtes-d’Armor) this morning. In the middle of a recently planted field so couldn’t get up close or cover all angles.
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The menhir of La Dent de Gargantua (Gargantua’s Tooth) is close to the village of Chablé in St-Suliac (Ille-et-Vilaine). It is a large block of coarse, angular white quartz standing 5m tall. This card by Passemard in Dinan c. 1905.

The menhir of La Dent de Gargantua (Gargantua’s Tooth) is close to the village of Chablé in St-Suliac (Ille-et-Vilaine). It is a large block of coarse, angular white quartz standing 5m tall. This card by Passemard in Dinan c. 1905.
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The 4.5m tall menhir of Kerelcun in La Feuillée (Finistère) stands at 250m above sea-level and is probably the highest located menhir in Brittany. This card by Joncour in Brasparts c. 1905 and his negative was re-used by Hamonic on his number 3831. .

The 4.5m tall menhir of Kerelcun in La Feuillée (Finistère) stands at 250m above sea-level and is probably the highest located menhir in Brittany. This card by Joncour in Brasparts c. 1905 and his negative was re-used by Hamonic on his number 3831. #StandingStoneSunday.
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One of the earliest cards of the passage tomb of La Table des Marchands in Locmariaquer (Morbihan) is this one by Neurdein which was in print by 1897. It shows the main capstone and the decorated terminal slab (left) and a man sits on one of the capstones of the passage.

One of the earliest cards of the passage tomb of La Table des Marchands in Locmariaquer (Morbihan) is this one by Neurdein which was in print by 1897. It shows the main capstone and the decorated terminal slab (left) and a man sits on one of the capstones of the passage.
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What remains of the dolmen of Le Palet de Notre-Dame in Alban (Tarn) is its 20 ton, 4x3m capstone now resting at an angle on just one orthostat and a second orthostat which has collapsed into the chamber. Card by Poux in Albi.

What remains of the dolmen of Le Palet de Notre-Dame in Alban (Tarn) is its 20 ton, 4x3m capstone now resting at an angle on just one orthostat and a second orthostat which has collapsed into the chamber. Card by Poux in Albi.
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What better way to end a c. 12km walk through the Forêt du Cranou to Rumengol with @Brittanyexpert than with the window in the church there which features Mary and Jesus sitting on top of a dolmen?

What better way to end a c. 12km walk through the Forêt du Cranou to Rumengol with @Brittanyexpert than with the window in the church there which features Mary and Jesus sitting on top of a dolmen?
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The 3.3m tall menhir of L’Affiloir de Gargantua in Craménil (Orne) takes its name from a folktale: Gargantua challenged St Peter to see who could scythe fastest. St Peter won and in a fit of pique Gargantua threw his whetstone away and this is where it landed. .

The 3.3m tall menhir of L’Affiloir de Gargantua in Craménil (Orne) takes its name from a folktale: Gargantua challenged St Peter to see who could scythe fastest. St Peter won and in a fit of pique Gargantua threw his whetstone away and this is where it landed. #FolkloreThursday.
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This is a general view of the largest group of menhirs (closest to the main road) in the alignments at Kerzerho in Erdeven (Morbihan) which originally ran for over 2 km. Card by H. Le Maillot c. 1903. The Etel to Trinité-sur-Mer tram line in the foreground was built in 1901.

This is a general view of the largest group of menhirs (closest to the main road) in the alignments at Kerzerho in Erdeven (Morbihan) which originally ran for over 2 km. Card by H. Le Maillot c. 1903. The Etel to Trinité-sur-Mer tram line in the foreground was built in 1901.
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Down in the forest today at the Fairy Pool after attending the launch of Wendy Mewes new book on the Tro Breiz pilgrimage, a must for anyone interested in Breton history, culture and traditions. Path further on still blocked by trees felled by Storm Ceiran!

Down in the forest today at the Fairy Pool after attending the launch of @brittanyexpert new book on the Tro Breiz pilgrimage, a must for anyone interested in Breton history, culture and traditions. Path further on still blocked by trees felled by Storm Ceiran!
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My new book is out this week. I'll be signing copies at L'Autre Rive café/bookshop in Berrien tomorrow 14H-16H30. This is the first of two books I'm doing this year about this medieval Breton pilgrimage. Grateful for any publicity.

My new book is out this week. I'll be signing copies at L'Autre Rive café/bookshop in Berrien tomorrow 14H-16H30. This is the first of two books I'm doing this year about this medieval Breton pilgrimage. Grateful for any publicity. #Brittany #Bretagne #pilgrimage
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This card shows the entrances to the two transepted passage graves set in a single cairn at Les Mousseaux in Pornic (Loire-Atlantique). First discovered and excavated in 1840, it was re-excavated and restored in the 1970s. Card by Chapeau, Nantes c. 1910 or earlier. .

This card shows the entrances to the two transepted passage graves set in a single cairn at Les Mousseaux in Pornic (Loire-Atlantique). First discovered and excavated in 1840, it was re-excavated and restored in the 1970s. Card by Chapeau, Nantes c. 1910 or earlier. #TombTuesday.
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The Fuseau de la Madeleine in Pontchâteau (Loire-Atlantique) is one of several Breton menhirs which folklore records as spindles from the spinning activities of super-human fairies and/or holy women. It is made from rough crazed rock and stands 5m tall.

The Fuseau de la Madeleine in Pontchâteau (Loire-Atlantique) is one of several Breton menhirs which folklore records as spindles from the spinning activities of super-human fairies and/or holy women. It is made from rough crazed rock and stands 5m tall.
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