Olivier Lepick, the mayor of Carnac, France, has received criticism nationwide for approving the destruction of 39 stones that he claimed were of "low architectural value." While some saw the stones as unremarkable, a local archaeologist argued that they were prehistoric menhirs, ancient structures erected by humans thousands of years ago.
The mayor's decision to remove the stones to make space for a hardware store sparked controversy.
Christian Obeltz, an amateur archaeologist, raised concerns about the destruction of the site in a blog post. He believed that the stones, which could be over 7,000 years old, held historical significance. However, Mayor Lepick defended his decision, stating that he had followed the rules and received information that the site had "low archaeological value."
The Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs supported the mayor's stance, stating that the site was not considered of archaeological importance and lacked proper evaluation. However, Obeltz disputed this claim, arguing that the stones were never thoroughly examined.
The mayor's decision garnered widespread outrage, with Lepick being labeled the "most hated man in France." Even politicians, including Marine Le Pen, criticized the decision. A heritage organization called Koun Breizh filed a complaint to shed light on the decision-making process and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The controversy surrounding the destruction of the stones in Carnac highlights the clash between preserving historical heritage and development interests, prompting debates about the proper evaluation and protection of archaeological sites.
[FULL STORY HERE]
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