arnac – The very name conjures images of a distant past; a time when the Neolithic hunter-gatherers of prehistoric Brittany adopted agriculture, communities and permanent dwellings. It is only with these three advances that a civilization could afford the time and energy to build such a collection of megalithic monuments as is found at Carnac and the surrounding countryside. The area abounds with a broad assortment of dolmens, tumuli, giant menhirs and cairnes, but the most outstanding feature is referred to as "The Carnac Alignments". The Alignments are composed of three groupings of standing stones, over 3,000 in all, which are arranged in nearly parallel rows. These constructions begin a little to the north of present-day Village of Carnac and continue to the east-northeast for nearly two miles. The first of the groupings is called the Menec stones; some 1,100 stones arranged in 11 rows with a rough stone circle, or cromlech, at either end. The stones range in height from over 13 feet at the western end to less than 2 feet at the east. Many of the stones are trapezoidal in shape, and are set with the pointed end downward. The second group is called the Kermario stones, sometimes referred to as "The City of the Dead" because of the appearance of rows of tombstones. These are arranged in 10 rows containing over 1,000 stones. The stones vary in height from about 10 to 2 feet, from west to east. The easternmost group is called the Kerlescan alignment and is composed of 11 rows with a ruined cromlech and a low tumulus at the western end. This is the smallest of the three groups, containing only 555 stones. Here again the stones are graduated in height, from over 13 feet in the west to less than three on the east end. What was the purpose of these stones, and the many others which dot this portion of Brittany? The archaeologists tell us they were erected between 4500 and 3300 BCE. If the Carnac alignments are viewed from overhead, one thing becomes apparent; the three sections seem to be the remnants of a much greater and probably continuous design. Over the years, stones have been removed for use in local construction or relocated to make room for the same. In the 1860’s, James Miln reported that there were fewer than 700 of the stones still standing. In other words, only about 10% of the stones are in their original position. So what then can we make of the arrangements? There are many theories and more than a few folk tales regarding their origin and purpose. One group of archaeologists believes these are memorials to the dead, raised by a people who worshipped their ancestors. Another group claims they were raised as a part of an earth-worship cult. Still others believe these stones are an astronomical tool to predict the turnings of the seasons. One fellow even claims these are a highly sophisticated seismograph to detect earth tremors caused by the sometimes violent tides in the Gulf of Morbihan. Some of the local folk will tell you that the weathered rock pillars are the remains of a Roman Legion, turned to stone by none other than Merlin, himself. Yes, Brittany has its own set of Arthurian legends. Another tale would have us believe that these are petrified pagan soldiers who were pursuing Saint Cornelius. That they are still there, frozen in their tracks, is testimony to the power of the local Saint. On the other hand, some folk believe these markers to be the remains of an ancient cult of serpent worship. Yet another story claims that there is a fabled treasure buried beneath one of the stones, and all the other stones were placed there to confuse and confound the treasure hunters. Perhaps some day, someone will discover the real purpose of the Carnac Alignments. For now, I fear they are far from the truth. Resources: "Carnac Stones" in Wikipedia "Morbihan (56) Including Carnac" at The Modern Antiquarian The Carnac Stones" at Crystalinks "Carnac" at Megalithia The Megaliths of Carnac "Carnac: Stones for the Living" in NEARA (New England Antiquities Research Assn) "Occult Brittany" by Lewis Spence, from About.com Carnac, "Dictionary of Celtic Mythology" by James MacKillop Photo/Graphics Credits: Kermario Alignment from WikiMedia Map of Carnac Alignments by the author Sketch of Alignments from "Rude Stone Monuments in All Countries, Their Age and Uses" by James Fergusson, 1872