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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Polissoir Pinte de Saint-Martin, located in Corancez en Eure-et-Loir, is a megalithic monument dated to the Neolithic. Ranked a historic monument since 1889, it is distinguished by its central bowl, attributed by legend to the footprint of the horse of Saint-Martin. This stone, made of sandstone, measures 5.30 meters by 2.20 meters and has several groups of grooves and bowls, characteristic of prehistoric polishing tools.

The polisher is located about 1.5 km south of the village of Corancez, on the road of Vovelles (D 150). Its location, indicated by an indicator pole, is easily accessible from the road. The property of the monument belongs to the Archaeological Society of Eure-et-Loir (SAEL), which acquired it in 1906 to preserve it from destruction. The acquisition was made possible by the intervention of Mr. Lestrade, notary at Prunay-le-Gillon, and Mr. Fouju, member of the SAEL.

This monument reflects neolithic practices related to polishing stone tools. The local legend combining the bowl with Saint-Martin reflects an oral tradition seeking to explain the natural or human traces of megaliths. The polisher, although classified in 1889, almost disappeared before being saved by the engagement of local archaeologists.

The large dimensions of the slab (5.30 m x 2.20 m) and the presence of grooves suggest collective or prolonged use. Archaeological studies, such as those carried out by André Nouel in 1961, highlight the importance of polishers in the region, especially in Eure-et-Loir, to understand the techniques of size and polishing of neolithic tools.

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