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Origin and history

The Menhir de la Croix Saint-Jacques, also named Pierre à Leluc or Menhir de l'Orme, is a block of sandstone of Fontainebleau discovered in 1911 by the farmer T. Lelluc, buried at a depth of 0.60 m on the commune of Tousson. In 1912, at 45 m from its original location, its authenticity was initially contested because of the absence of any traces of sizing and local sandstone, suggesting voluntary transport. Ranked a historic monument in 1924, it features enigmatic engravings, including a deep cupula surrounded by features evoking a sun on its eastern face.

The western face of the menhir consists of thirteen shallow cupules, aligned in three parallel rows, not mentioned when it was discovered in 1911. This omission suggests a more recent origin for these engravings. Composed of a sandstone absent in the immediate vicinity, the menhir raises questions about its erection and its original use, typical of the megalithic monuments of the Neolithic. Paul de Mortillet, though skeptical, acknowledged that his transport involved a symbolic or practical intention.

Located in the Seine-et-Marne, in the village of Tousson, the menhir illustrates the prehistoric human occupation of Île-de-France. Its ranking in 1924 and its mention in archaeological inventories (such as the Merimée base) make it a rare evidence of regional megalithic practices. The engraved cupules, although partially attributed to later additions, recall the solar or ritual symbols frequent in neolithic cultures, without their exact meaning being established with certainty.

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