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Origin and history

The Dolmen de Salillant, also known as Palet de Roland or Cave aux Fées, is a megalithic building erected in the final Neolithic (Chalcolithic, c. 2500-2000 BC). Composed of five basalt orthostats – local volcanic rock – and an octagonal cover table, it illustrates the collective funeral architecture of this period.

Its western orientation and its paved room of slabs suggest a ritual use linked to the cult of ancestors, typical of protohistoric agro-pastoral societies. At the Bronze Age (2000-800 B.C.), the site was reused, as evidenced by pottery pottery coats and polished axes discovered nearby.

This re-appropriation reflects the cultural changes of the era, marked by the emergence of metallurgy and new funeral practices. The dolmen is then part of a network of megalithic monuments scattered in Auvergne, reflecting a dense and organized human occupation. The first scientific description of dolmen was given to Dr François Pomprol in 1876, an amateur physician and archaeologist.

His excavations revealed bones (an adult and a child) as well as lithic and ceramic furniture, confirming the sepulchral vocation of the place. Pommerol also noted the presence of a tumulus of 7 meters in diameter, partially preserved, and a possible sixth orthostat, now extinct. Ranked a historic monument in 1862, the dolmen of Saillant enjoys early protection, reflecting the emerging interest in megalithic heritage under the Second Empire.

This recognition is part of the 19th century romantic movement, which idealizes prehistoric remains as symbols of a deep national identity. The site is today a popular place to visit, integrated with the tourist circuits of the Volcanoes d'Auvergne Regional Natural Park. Despite its partially altered state (erosion, vegetation), the dolmen remains a remarkable example of megalithic auvergnate architecture.

Recent studies, such as those of Sylvie Amblard (CNRS, 1983), have clarified its dating and regional context. The site is also subject to conservation measures to limit natural degradation, while preserving its authenticity. The local legend combines the dolmen with the Palet de Roland, evoking the mythical knight or Samson, highlighting his anchoring in the popular imagination.

This folk dimension, coupled with its archaeological value, makes it a dual heritage monument: scientific and cultural. Guided tours often highlight these stories, strengthening the attractiveness of the site to the general public. In 2023, the Dolmen de Salillant was one of the emblematic megalithic sites of Puy-de-Dôme, alongside the dolmens de la Pierre de la Fade or Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise.

Its inclusion in heritage databases (Merimée, Wikimedia Commons) and specialized publications ensures its sustainability as an object of study and valuation. Cultural mediation projects, such as educational workshops, aim to raise awareness among younger generations of this fragile heritage. The basalt used for its construction, typical of volcanic landscapes auvergnats, recalls the adaptation of Neolithic builders to local resources.

This stone, resistant but difficult to cut, bears witness to advanced technical know-how for the time. Comparisons with other regional dolmens, such as La Geneste (Cantal), reveal architectural similarities that suggest exchanges between prehistoric communities. Finally, the dolmen of Saillant embodies the memory of the first farmers-sedentaries of Auvergne.

His study helps to understand the cultural transitions between Neolithic and Metal Age, the pivotal periods in European history. As a tangible remnant of these missing societies, it plays a key role in the transmission of intangible heritage related to funeral rites and ancestral beliefs.

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