Les Mousseaux tumulus, Neolithic burial mound in Pornic, France
Les Mousseaux is a Neolithic stone mound located north of Pornic that contains two separate burial chamber systems within its structure. The mound measures roughly 18 meters long and 14 meters wide and was built using sandstone and mica schist arranged in tiered dry stone walls.
The burial site was constructed around 3500 BCE, making it one of the region's oldest monuments. It received official protection as a historical monument in 1889 and has since been studied to understand its origins and purpose.
The mound takes its name from the nearby path and reflects how Neolithic communities built permanent stone structures to honor their dead. Visitors can see how the construction method, using layered dry stone walls, reveals the skill and effort these people invested in creating a lasting monument.
The mound is located at the end of a country lane, roughly 1 kilometer north of the nearest beach and is easily reached on foot. Wear sturdy shoes as the terrain is uneven and viewpoints around the structure offer the best perspectives of the monument.
The chambers are aligned with the winter solstice sunrise, suggesting that the builders had a sophisticated understanding of celestial movements. This astronomical orientation hints at how important sky cycles were to the burial practices of the people who created this monument.
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