Carnac stones

These archaeological sites document the development of human civilizations across thousands of years. They range from the earliest known temple structures like Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, dated to around 9500 BCE, to the preserved remains of Pompeii, frozen in time by a volcanic eruption in 79 CE. Each location offers insights into the technical abilities, religious beliefs, and social structures of past cultures.

This collection encompasses ancient stone monuments and sacred sites from across the globe, ranging from the Easter Island Moai to the Great Wall of China. The structures represent millennia of human engineering and include religious temples, fortifications, burial sites, and astronomical installations. Many of these locations retain cultural significance for local communities today. Examples include prehistoric sites such as Göbekli Tepe in Turkey and Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands, alongside monumental constructions like the Parthenon in Athens, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The collection also features lesser known treasures including the Megalithic Temples of Malta, Nan Madol in Micronesia, and Great Zimbabwe. These sites provide insight into ancient cultures, religious practices, and architectural achievements that continue to draw visitors from around the world.

Stone circles stand among humanity's earliest architectural accomplishments, constructed by prehistoric communities across Europe and beyond over thousands of years. These circular arrangements of standing stones served multiple purposes, functioning as astronomical observatories where ancient peoples tracked celestial movements, seasonal changes, and solar events. The monuments also acted as communal gathering spaces for ceremonies, trade, and social activities. The engineering skills required to transport, raise, and position these massive stones—some weighing several tons—reveal the sophisticated organizational capabilities and technical knowledge of Neolithic and Bronze Age societies. This collection spans numerous locations throughout Europe. In England, Stonehenge features precisely arranged upright stones forming a 98-foot (30-meter) circle built between 3000 and 2000 BC, while the Avebury complex measures 1,086 feet (331 meters) across and dates to 2850 BC. Scotland hosts several significant sites, including the Callanish Stones with a central monolith standing 16 feet (4.8 meters) tall, and the Ring of Brodgar, which originally contained 60 stones encircled by a 30-foot (9-meter) wide ditch. The Castlerigg Stone Circle sits surrounded by Lake District peaks, constructed around 3000 BC. Beyond the British Isles, Germany's Goseck Circle demonstrates astronomical alignment dating to 4900 BC, making it one of the oldest known structures of its kind. Ireland's Drombeg Stone Circle uses 17 stones to mark solstice positions. Each site provides insight into how prehistoric communities observed the heavens, marked time, and organized their societies around these enduring monuments.

The prehistoric sites of Carnac contain megalithic stones that extend for kilometers. The coastal location features sandy beaches, a marina, and historic buildings. The area includes stone alignments, dolmens, burial mounds, and natural coastal landscapes along the Brittany shore.