Fig. 133.—Vertical Section of the Dolmen of Locmariaker, in Brittany. In the Museum of Saint-Germain.
Some dolmens are completely open to view, like that represented in fig. 132, nothing impeding a perfect sight of them; others, on the contrary, are covered with a hillock of earth, the dimensions of which vary according to the size of the monument itself.
This latter kind of dolmen more specially assumes the nature of a tumulus; a designation which conveys the idea of some mound raised above the tomb.
Figs. 134 and 135 represent the tumulus-dolmen existing at Gavr'inis (Oak Island), in Brittany, or, more exactly, in the department of Morbihan. It is the diminished sketch of an enormous model exhibited in the Museum of Saint-Germain. This model in relief has a portion cut off it which, by means of a cord and pulley, can be elevated or lowered at will, thus affording a view of the interior of the dolmen. It is composed of a single chamber, leading to which there is a long passage.
Fig. 134.—Tumulus-Dolmen at Gavr'inis (Morbihan).