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Origin and history

The Dolmen de Rouffignac, located in Javerdat in Haute-Vienne, is a megalithic monument dated to the Neolithic. It was erected near Chauvie Creek and consists of three orthostats, two of which still supported a trapezoidal cover table measuring 1.96 m by 2.50 m, with a thickness of 0.50 m. This Migmatite table features nine cups and a natural bowl. The excavations of the 1960s revealed human bones, ceramic coats, arrow frames and a steatite pearl, attributed to Artenacian culture.

The structure, partially collapsed before its restoration, may have housed a burial chamber of 2.10 m by 1.10 m, facing west-southwest/east-northeast. The site was listed as a Historic Monument on 15 April 1987 after restoration work. A local legend tells that three young girls with plague took refuge there, contaminating the population before being crushed by the dolmen table.

Archaeological excavations revealed a two-layered pavement separating human remains and artifacts. Discoveries include cranial cap debris and pottery, confirming the funeral use of dolmen. The slabs, all of which are migmatite, and the flow marks on the table suggest partial re-use of the material. This site illustrates the funeral practices and beliefs of Neolithic in Limousin.

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