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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Dolmen des Claps is a megalithic monument located in Escragnolles, Alpes-Maritimes department. It dates from Neolithic, although objects discovered during excavations, such as human bones, flint tools, ceramics and ornaments, are attributed to the Chalcolithic. This shift suggests that the site should be used for a long time over several millennia.

The dolmen is characterized by a corridor structure, bounded by five orthostats (arrested stones) and dry stone walls. A fragment of its covering slab still rests on one of the side slabs. The ensemble is surrounded by a circular tumulus of 15 meters in diameter, typical of the collective burials of this time.

Ranked as historical monuments since 8 August 1921, the Dolmen des Claps illustrates the importance of megalithic sites in the Alpes-Maritimes. The excavations revealed a variety of archaeological furniture, showing funeral practices and artisanal activities (size of the flint, making of trimmings). These discoveries are documented in specialized books such as Claude Salicis et al. (2014).

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