[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":25},["ShallowReactive",2],{"zoom:p1ch3z1:en":3},{"period":4,"chapter":15,"zoom":18},{"id":5,"title":6,"titleEn":6,"titleEs":7,"range":8,"rangeEn":8,"rangeEs":9,"cover":10},"p1","Prehistory","Prehistoria","≈ 1,000,000 BC → 600 BC","≈ 1 000 000 a. C. → 600 a. C.",{"fileName":11,"filePageUrl":12,"imageUrl":13,"sourceLabel":14},"Lascaux, horse.JPG","https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lascaux%2C%20horse.JPG","/assets/p1-prehistoire-cover.png","Wikimedia Commons",{"id":16,"title":17},"p1ch3","The Neolithic Revolution",{"id":19,"title":20,"chapterId":16,"html":21,"hasEn":22,"isFallback":23,"seoDescription":24},"p1ch3z1","The Carnac Alignments","\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🌍 A unique site in the world\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Located in the Morbihan region of Brittany, the site of \u003Cstrong>Carnac\u003C/strong> contains the largest concentration of megaliths in the world. More than \u003Cstrong>3,000 menhirs\u003C/strong> stand there, stretching over more than 4 kilometers.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>These stones were not placed randomly: they form impressive parallel lines known as \u003Cstrong>alignments\u003C/strong>.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Carnac_56_Alignement_du_M%C3%A9nec_2013.JPG?width=512\" alt=\"Carnac alignments\">\u003Cbr>\n\u003Cem>Panoramic view of the Ménec alignments, the most famous site in Carnac.\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🕰️ Who built them and when?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to popular belief, these stones were not erected by the Gauls (and certainly not by Obelix!).\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>The alignments were built during the \u003Cstrong>Neolithic\u003C/strong>, between \u003Cstrong>4500 and 3000 BCE\u003C/strong>, long before the arrival of the Celts in France. They were constructed by sedentary farming communities who mobilized a massive workforce to move and raise these local granite blocks.\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>❓ What was their purpose?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>This remains one of the greatest mysteries of French prehistory. Several theories coexist:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>An astronomical calendar\u003C/strong>: The lines may align with the sunrise or sunset during solstices, serving as an observation tool for agriculture\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>A religious sanctuary\u003C/strong>: A place of worship dedicated to ancestors or deities\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>A symbol of power\u003C/strong>: A way for clans to mark their territory and display their strength\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🏰 Legends and folklore\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>For centuries, in the absence of scientific explanations, local people created legends:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>The most famous claims they are a \u003Cstrong>Roman army turned to stone\u003C/strong> by Saint Cornely to protect Christians\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Another says the stones go to drink in the sea once a year, on Christmas night\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🛡️ Preserving this treasure\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Today, the site is protected and is a candidate for \u003Cstrong>UNESCO World Heritage\u003C/strong> status. The fragility of the soil and the stones requires strict management to ensure this testimony of human ingenuity endures for future generations.\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🧠 Key takeaways\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>3,000 menhirs\u003C/strong> over 4 km\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Built during the \u003Cstrong>Neolithic\u003C/strong> (long before the Gauls)\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Likely a \u003Cstrong>sacred, social, or astronomical\u003C/strong> function\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>📸 Image credits\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Carnac alignments — JLPC, \u003Ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/\">CC BY-SA 3.0\u003C/a>, via Wikimedia Commons\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n",true,false,"Located in the Morbihan region of Brittany, the site of Carnac contains the largest concentration of megaliths in the world. More than 3,000 menhirs stand",1778543142967]