Why were the rows built?
Most likely: the rows translate the region's natural granite outcrops and ridges into built form, recreating a rock…Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.
Where it stands
Five answers have been proposed. The rows marked and monumentalised the ground of the dead, linked to the tombs they were built beside. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Four are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet.
Why it matters
The purpose of the alignments has been argued since the 18th century; the Le Plasker team leaves it open[1]. The rival answers make different predictions about layout and sequence.
Answers 5
History
- Thom & Thom: the Thoms' surveys found geometric and astronomical regularities in the Le Ménec and Kermario rows.For: The rows and great menhirs were laid out to observe the moon's extreme rising and setting points.
- Thom et al. puts forward: the rows and great menhirs were laid out to observe the moon's extreme rising and setting points.
- Scarre puts forward: the rows translate the region's natural granite outcrops and ridges into built form, recreating a rock…
- Blanchard et al. puts forward: the rows were a communal monument built and added to over generations at gatherings, with fires and feasts…
- Blanchard et al. puts forward: the rows marked and monumentalised the ground of the dead, linked to the tombs they were built beside.
- Blanchard et al.: at Le Plasker the rows grew over three centuries by additions on one axis.Against: The rows and great menhirs were laid out to observe the moon's extreme rising and setting points.
- Blanchard et al.: at Le Plasker 46 unworked granite boulders from more than 2 km away were laid face-up around the tomb to…For: The rows translate the region's natural granite outcrops and ridges into built form, recreating a rock…
- Blanchard et al.: charcoal analysis excludes grain roasting and smoking; residue, phytolith and eDNA results are pending.Against: The rows were a communal monument built and added to over generations at gatherings, with fires and feasts…
- Blanchard et al.: cooking pits with charred stones lie beside the foundation pits, some in line with them, and date to the same…For: The rows were a communal monument built and added to over generations at gatherings, with fires and feasts…
- Blanchard et al.: at Le Plasker the first standing stones went up within decades of the cist mound, a few metres from it.For: The rows marked and monumentalised the ground of the dead, linked to the tombs they were built beside.
- Asked on this site