These Neolithic engravings are almost too awesome to describe. They can be found on the apse slab (the stone at the back) of the Merchants’ Table burial chamber in Locmariaquer, France. The chamber dates back to 3900 BC and it’s possible that the engravings represent ears of wheat ripening in the sun; equally, however, they may depict croziers (a kind of stylized staff carried by spiritual leaders) - in which case the entire piece may represent a Neolithic idol. They remind me of similar engravings that I’ve seen at various ancient Egyptian sites.

The mystery of this chamber does not end there: this stone is older than the dolmen itself (dating back to at least 4300 BC) and is contemporary with a neighbouring menhir alignment that was demolished by Neolithic tribes sometime between 4200 BC and 4000 BC. The assumption is that some of the fragments of the menhir alignment were used to build burial chambers, such as this one.