Gavrinis, Gulf of Morbihan, Brittany, France
The magnificent cairn at Gavrinis is significant for its well-preserved interior chamber and the large orthostats lining the passageway. The orthostats are carved with various abstract motifs, including chevrons, croziers, axe heads, whorls, spirals, snakes and shields. The site is on an island and is only reachable by boat from the nearby town of Larmor-Baden. The orientation of the passageway is toward sunrise on Winter Solstice. The site was abandoned in 3000 b.c.e. but it is not known when it was built. The cairn is 160 feet in diameter and 20 feet high.
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