Dozens of historical standing stones in southwest France have been bulldozed to make room for one more retail outlet of a nationwide chain promoting DIY merchandise, triggering uproar amongst locals.
The historic web site of Montauban “has been destroyed,” with no less than 39 megalithic stones, estimated to be round 7,000 years previous, misplaced, native archaeologist Christian Obeltz informed media this week.
The French commune of Carnac is legendary for 1000’s of so-called menhirs – standing stones erected by neolithic folks for functions that also stay a thriller. Nonetheless, not like the realm’s principal vacationer points of interest of Menec, Kermario and Kerlescan, that are a part of a UNESCO checklist of world heritage websites – the set of stones in Montauban, simply 1.5 kilometers away, has little historic worth, in response to native officers.
Right here’s a Carnac vacationer map I had which exhibits how shut Montauban (mid proper) is to among the seen megalithic alignments. There might be extra buried that we don’t find out about https://t.co/xH48SYX8EZpic.twitter.com/2pv3WU4zIR
— The Megalithic Portal Historic Websites & Stones (@megportal) June 10, 2023
“Given the unsure and in any case non-major character of the stays, as revealed by checks, injury to a web site of archaeological worth has not been established,” the Regional Workplace of Cultural Affairs for Brittany informed AFP in an announcement.
39 #menhirs vieux de plus de 7000 ans détruits en catimini à #Carnac pour construire un magasin de Mr. Bricolage : c’était bien la peine d’aller au Mont-#Saint-Michel.Pauvre patrimoine français !La marchandisation du monde prépare l’homme sans souvenirs. pic.twitter.com/XqbLDN9EQ6
— Philippe de Villiers (@PhdeVilliers) June 7, 2023
Native mayor has insisted that he “adopted the regulation,” and that the development allow was granted final August solely after archaeologists had performed the required research.
Nonetheless, Obeltz claimed there have been no “archaeological excavations as a way to know if the stones had been menhirs or not.” He additionally accused native authorities of dashing to greenlight the event earlier than activists apply for a UNESCO safety.
A preferred French retail chain, Mr Bricolage, that gives house enchancment and do-it-yourself items, is at present constructing a brand new retailer on the web site. Its spokesperson mentioned the corporate “sincerely regrets” the incident, however reiterated that authorities granted them full authorization to proceed.
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