La Table des Marchands, Locmariaquer, Morbihan, Brittany, France

This well preserved and restored cairn and passage tomb is famous for the engravings on the rear slab of the central chamber. It dates to around 4000 b.c.e. The entrance is oriented to 140° southeast, near sunrise on winter solstice. The site is at 45 feet of elevation, with a view of the nearby bay. A large capstone in the central chamber has the image of a quadraped and an axe carved on it. The rear slab is covered with hooks or shepherd’s crooks. Nearby is the great Brise Menhir (which measures 20 meters and weighs 350 tons) and Les Pierres Plates, a passage tomb with an L shape. The site has a small museum and guided tours. This image was taken May 15, 2000, in the early afternoon.