Measuring distinction in the megalithic architecture of the Carnac region: from sign to material

A distinct societal hierarchy emerged in the Carnac region of southern Brittany around 4900 BC, marked by monumental megalithic architecture and funerary mounds—unique to Europe at the time. These structures, associated with rare exotic materials and engraved symbols, reflected an extraordinary accumulation of concepts among hunter-gatherer-fisher communities, signaling a shift from egalitarian norms to extreme inequality. The study examines this phenomenon through the lens of 'distinction,' analyzing how material culture and symbolic representations differentiated this elite society from its contemporaries and successors. By bridging symbolism and materiality, the research captures the nuanced expressions of power and identity in Neolithic Brittany.

Cassen, S., Pétrequin, P., Boujot, C., Domínguez-Bella, S., Guiavarc’h, M., & Querré, G. (2010). Measuring distinction in the megalithic architecture of the Carnac region: from sign to material. Journal of Neolithic Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.12766/jna.2010.45