The Cévennes d'Ardèche are home to an exceptional megalithic heritage. Among these ancestral treasures, the dolmens stand as silent witnesses to a thousand-year-old history, offering visitors a fascinating journey into the heart of the rites and beliefs of the region's earliest human communities.
But what is a dolmen?
A dolmen is a funeral home of a deceased person deposited and not buried. Dolmens are composed of a room and slabs then, around, a dry stone wall is built to hold the stone slope.
The major periods in the history of dolmens
The first dolmens date back to prehistory or the early Neolithic period. They were built around 3000 BC.
The end of these burials stops around the year 0 between theAntiquity and Middle ages.
La Prehistory is a period when men did not have a fixed habitat (nomads). These peoples came fromAfrica they called them Australopithecines around 8000 BC. Then, these peoples began to move towards Europe in 5800 BC.
Le Neolithic is a time when, on the contrary, men lived in fixed habitats. They begin to discover and practice theagriculture (wheat, livestock). The village of Labeaume were 138 dolmens for 626 inhabitants.
Currently of numerous campaigns restoration work is underway or has been carried out for keep The sites.
Did you know?
More dolmens than in Brittany! With nearly 900 monuments, Ardèche is one of the French territories most rich in dolmens.
Richer than Brittany!
To enable you to discover this exceptional prehistoric heritage, a road. of dolmens, belvedere et five paths themes were created in South Ardèche.
So that you are beginners, walkers seasoned where simple strollers, there is definitely a path for you.
By taking these paths you will make a large journey in time, since Neolithic to the present day. Spectacular and mysterious, the dolmens will help you discover the region in a new light.
Each circuit is at discover and toute freedom. All you have to do is observer this incredible heritage.
Dolmens are a cultural heritage. fragile due to human activity! Also, some basic instructions are to be respected:
- Do not climb the dolmens
- Do not move stones around monuments
- Searches prohibited
Additionally, to extend your visit, visit the Aven d'Orgnac Prehistoric City, a Grand Site de France. The archaeological finds are preserved there.
Themes
