# Why were the rows built? · Carnac alignments > 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… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/carnac-alignments/questions/QST0D69TBGJ4W2Z/why-were-the-rows-built Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:00+00:00 --- **0** # Why were the rows built? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·5 answers·0·0 following **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]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T3PJ4ZTB/le-plasker-in-plouharnel-fifth-millennium-cal-bc-a-newly). The rival answers make different predictions about layout and sequence. ## Answers 5 [**The rows marked and monumentalised the ground of the dead, linked to the tombs they were built beside.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/carnac-alignments/answers/ANS0D69TGWE2SG9/the-rows-marked-and-monumentalised-the-ground-of-the-dead) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**The rows translate the region's natural granite outcrops and ridges into built form, recreating a rock…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/carnac-alignments/answers/ANS0D69TFDJ13NC/the-rows-translate-the-regions-natural-granite-outcrops-and) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**The rows were a communal monument built and added to over generations at gatherings, with fires and feasts…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/carnac-alignments/answers/ANS0D69TG504TH3/the-rows-were-a-communal-monument-built-and-added-to-over) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/carnac-alignments/answers/ANS0D69THC276A1/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The rows and great menhirs were laid out to observe the moon's extreme rising and setting points.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/carnac-alignments/answers/ANS0D69TEP43P82/the-rows-and-great-menhirs-were-laid-out-to-observe-the) Tested, but the results don't decide it Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Disputed ## History 1. 1972[Thom & Thom: the Thoms' surveys found geometric and astronomical regularities in the Le Ménec and Kermario rows.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T4660AKZ/the-carnac-alignments)For: The rows and great menhirs were laid out to observe the moon's extreme rising and setting points. 1. 1976[Thom et al. puts forward: the rows and great menhirs were laid out to observe the moon's extreme rising and setting points.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T4NT59NN/the-two-megalithic-lunar-observatories-at-carnac) 1. 2011[Scarre puts forward: the rows translate the region's natural granite outcrops and ridges into built form, recreating a rock…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T55E5DZX/the-carnac-landscape) 1. 2025[Blanchard et al. puts forward: the rows were a communal monument built and added to over generations at gatherings, with fires and feasts…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T3PJ4ZTB/le-plasker-in-plouharnel-fifth-millennium-cal-bc-a-newly) 1. 2025[Blanchard et al. puts forward: the rows marked and monumentalised the ground of the dead, linked to the tombs they were built beside.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T3PJ4ZTB/le-plasker-in-plouharnel-fifth-millennium-cal-bc-a-newly) 1. 2025[Blanchard et al.: at Le Plasker the rows grew over three centuries by additions on one axis.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T3PJ4ZTB/le-plasker-in-plouharnel-fifth-millennium-cal-bc-a-newly)Against: The rows and great menhirs were laid out to observe the moon's extreme rising and setting points. 1. 2025[Blanchard et al.: at Le Plasker 46 unworked granite boulders from more than 2 km away were laid face-up around the tomb to…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T3PJ4ZTB/le-plasker-in-plouharnel-fifth-millennium-cal-bc-a-newly)For: The rows translate the region's natural granite outcrops and ridges into built form, recreating a rock… 1. 2025[Blanchard et al.: charcoal analysis excludes grain roasting and smoking; residue, phytolith and eDNA results are pending.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T3PJ4ZTB/le-plasker-in-plouharnel-fifth-millennium-cal-bc-a-newly)Against: The rows were a communal monument built and added to over generations at gatherings, with fires and feasts… 1. 2025[Blanchard et al.: cooking pits with charred stones lie beside the foundation pits, some in line with them, and date to the same…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T3PJ4ZTB/le-plasker-in-plouharnel-fifth-millennium-cal-bc-a-newly)For: The rows were a communal monument built and added to over generations at gatherings, with fires and feasts… 1. 2025[Blanchard et al.: at Le Plasker the first standing stones went up within decades of the cist mound, a few metres from it.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D69T3PJ4ZTB/le-plasker-in-plouharnel-fifth-millennium-cal-bc-a-newly)For: The rows marked and monumentalised the ground of the dead, linked to the tombs they were built beside. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/carnac-alignments/questions/QST0D69TBGJ4W2Z/why-were-the-rows-built%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/carnac-alignments/questions/QST0D69TBGJ4W2Z/why-were-the-rows-built%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/carnac-alignments/questions/QST0D69TBGJ4W2Z/why-were-the-rows-built%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/carnac-alignments/questions/QST0D69TBGJ4W2Z/why-were-the-rows-built%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/carnac-alignments/questions/QST0D69TBGJ4W2Z/why-were-the-rows-built%23add-source) Where it fits Carnac alignments **Why were the rows built?** Key question · you're here [Were the rows planned as one design or accreted over time?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/carnac-alignments/questions/QST0D69TBRC6PC1/were-the-rows-planned-as-one-design-or-accreted-over-time)Most likely · rows grew by additions over centuries along a common axis [ Ask a question under this one ]