The first citizen day, organized by the Méganéo association, owner since last May of the tumulus and the Folatière dolmen, in Luxé, brought together 30 volunteers who came to clean the site. It is one of the largest megalithic sites in Europe. The tumulus is dated around …
The first citizen day, organized by the Méganéo association, owner since last May of the tumulus and the Folatière dolmen, in Luxé, brought together 30 volunteers who came to clean the site. It is one of the largest megalithic sites in Europe. The tumulus is dated around 4000-4500 years before J.-C. of the gaps were created in order to access its summit and better appreciate its grandeur. Its length is 140 meters over a width of 20 to 50 meters and a height of 10 meters. Apart from the main dognon located in the town of Tusson, with close dimensions, there is no monument of this size throughout Neolithic Europe. Father Michon (1884) had pointed out that he was employed as a stone career by the inhabitants of the hamlet whose houses are built as close as possible to the tumulus.
One of the teams of volunteers for cleaning the site.
CL
Between 1957 and 1959, excavations had been led by the dean Etienne Patte on this monument threatened with destruction. Delimited by 12 pillars, some of which were overturned, the partly excavated funeral chamber appeared very upset. Many human remains belonging to at least 42 individuals (including 16 adults), ceramic shards, hundreds of flint and flint tools were then collected. This remarkable furniture attests to the use of the sepulcher for nearly two millennia kept at the Museum of the City of Poitiers. Despite its classification with historic monuments, the tumulus falls into oblivion.
Recently, a statement was made by Lidar capture (detection and telemetry by light -based light waves). The exceptional dimensions of the site and its morphology were confirmed. To preserve and enhance this immense heritage, the Meganeo association based in Tusson decided to engage in 2024 in an exceptional land acquisition of the tumulus and the dolmen located on private and inaccessible plots.
One of the gaps made for the site visit.
CL
It was necessary to convince five owners to separate from part of their plots and proceed to the division in order to circumscribe the two monuments, develop access and parking on the edge of the D186. The acquisition amounted to € 5,000 there remained the demarcation to be performed and the notarial acts.
Vincent Ard, archaeologist and researcher at the CNRS, said during his conference: “Without the precious partnership of the surveyor (Heteria), notary Fabrice Geoffroy, the support of the commune of Luxé, it would not have been possible to continue our project. We salute the Drac Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the CDC Coeur and Val de Charente and all the families that allowed us to buy the plots. »»
Archaeological research is also done with XXI toolse A century: “Drones, geophysical prospecting material, geomagnetic surveys without destroying the site” are used to reveal the secrets of this great monument. Eric Bouchet, mayor of Tusson, exclaimed: “It is a bit of the equivalent of the discovery of the pyramids, but 1,000 years before”
Contact: meganeo.fr, Assomeganeo Sut Twitter or meganeo.asso@gmail.com