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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The hypogeus to the Neolithic vestibule of Parmain, nicknamed Trou à Morts, was discovered around 1850 by M. Carnelle on a hill overlooking the Val de Nesles. This funerary monument, partially dug in a limestone bank, combines the characteristics of a natural cave and a megalithic construction, with an oblong chamber of 4.30 m long and an antechamber bounded by orthostats. Its west-northeast orientation and the presence of a possible menhir indicator at 50 m suggest a symbolic spatial organization, typical of the collective burials of the Neolithic.

When discovered, the grave contained many human bones in good condition, accompanied by funerary objects such as polished axes, flint blades and a bronze ball, now scattered. The site later served as a shelter, particularly during the First World War, which partially altered its structure: dry stone walls were removed and the soil overcast. These changes made the exact reconstruction of its original architecture uncertain, although remains such as two vertical slabs of the antichamber remain.

Ranked a historic monument on June 26, 1974, the hypogeus illustrates neolithic funeral practices in Île-de-France, where sedentary communities erected collective burials marked by megalithic structures. Its strategic location, near a western slope, and its integration into a limestone landscape reflect a technical mastery and spatial symbolism unique to this period. The 19th-century excavations, although poorly documented, reveal the importance of the site in the study of funeral rites and crafts (silex, bronze) of the regional Neolithic.

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