Quadrilatère du Manio, Neolithic monument in Carnac, France.
The Quadrilatère du Manio is a megalithic monument in Carnac made up of roughly 83 upright granite blocks arranged in a rectangular pattern. The formation extends about 37 meters long and 7 to 10 meters wide, with each stone standing about one meter tall.
This structure dates back to the Neolithic period and was originally built over an earthen mound topped with a windmill centuries later. Excavations around 1890 uncovered remains of the ancient burial mound beneath the ground, revealing the monument's earlier purpose.
This rectangular stone arrangement was part of a significant gathering place for prehistoric communities in the region. The careful positioning of the blocks suggests the builders had a deliberate plan for organizing the space.
The monument remains accessible year-round and sits close to the larger Giant of Manio menhir, making it straightforward to find when visiting the area. The site sits in open countryside, so wearing sturdy shoes for walking on uneven ground is helpful, and it is best visited when you have time to walk around the stones.
The stones were positioned with such care that they create a surprisingly regular geometric shape despite their massive size. This precision in arrangement reveals that the builders possessed advanced planning abilities and spatial understanding that existed long before written records began.
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