Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The dolmens of Barjac form a group of about ten megalithic monuments distributed in the woods to the northeast of the village, in the commune of Barjac (Gard). They are organized into three distinct groups: the Dolmens of the Eyes (7 structures), the Serre de Fabre (4 structures) and the Devèze (5 structures). These funeral buildings, characteristic of Neolithic, bear witness to the ritual practices and architectural know-how of local prehistoric communities.

Among these dolmens, three of them — known as Eyes A, C and D — were classified as historical monuments as early as 1889. Their early classification underlines their heritage and archaeological importance. The location of these dolmens, at the boundary between the Gard and the Ardèche, reflects an ancient occupation of this territory, marked by cultural exchanges and traffic networks between the two departments.

The dolmens of Barjac are part of a wider megalithic landscape, typical of southern France. Their presence attests to the sustainable establishment of sedentary human groups during the Neolithic period, marked by agriculture, breeding and the construction of collective burials. These monuments, often associated with funeral rites, also served as territorial landmarks for the communities of the time.

Today, these dolmens are owned by the municipality of Barjac. Their state of conservation and accessibility varied, but their classification in 1889 guaranteed legal protection. Their study continues to inform researchers about the lifestyles and beliefs of neolithic societies in Occitanie.

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