Construction period Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Estimated date of dolmen.
12 juillet 1989
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 12 juillet 1989 (≈ 1989)
Official protection by order.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Dolmen de Lespinasse (Case C 113): Order of 12 July 1989
Origin and history
The Dolmen de Lespinasse is an iconic megalithic building located in the commune of Gaillac-d'Aveyron, Aveyron department, Occitanie region. This monument, dating from the Neolithic period, bears witness to the funeral and architectural practices of prehistoric societies in the region. Its geographical location and structure make it a representative example of the dolmens of southern France.
Ranked under the title of historical monuments by order of 12 July 1989, the Dolmen de Lespinasse enjoys official protection which underlines its heritage importance. The available data, notably from the Merimée and Monumentum databases, confirm its status as a protected element (cadastre C 113) and its administrative connection to the commune of Gaillac-d'Aveyron (code Insee 12107). No additional information on its precise use, searches or discoverers is mentioned in the sources consulted.
In the Neolithic era, dolmens generally served as collective burials, reflecting a complex social organization and beliefs related to death and beyond. In the Rouergue, as in other regions, these monuments were often integrated into landscapes full of symbols, marking the territory and the memory of the communities. Their construction involved collective cooperation and advanced technical knowledge for stonework.
