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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The covered walkway of Dampsmesnil, classified as a historical monument in 1907, is a recent Neolithic megalith (2500–2000 B.C.) located in the Bois de la Garenne in Vexin-sur-Epte (Eure). Built by sedentary farmers of the Seine-Oise-Marne culture, it served as a collective burial. Its structure consists of a 5.81 m room and a vestibule separated by a recessed pierced slab, equipped with a circular orifice equipped with a hardwood to ensure the sealing between the funeral and ceremonial spaces.

The particularity of the site lies in its feminine sculpture in relief on a support of the vestibule: an oval figure with three concentric fillets, overcoming two protuberances interpreted as nipples. This representation, similar to those of the nearby covered alleys (Bois-Couturier, Pierre Turquaise), evokes a possible "goddess of the dead" or a ceremonial symbol. The monument, looted in Roman times and then by treasure seekers, was partially destroyed in the 19th century by quarryers exploiting its limestone.

The excavations of 1894–96, conducted by Martial Imbert and Émile Collin, revealed neolithic artifacts (arrow points, axes, bone beads) and human bones mixed with Roman pottery debris. The pierced slab, broken and found in 1894, was consolidated, while the sculpture was moulded in 1985 for an exhibition in five museums. The Viscount de Pulligny, the first descriptor in 1879, emphasized its already degraded state but its exceptional archaeological interest, notably for its innovative closure system.

The site illustrates neolithic funeral practices, with a Roman reuse attested by a bronze piece and tiles. Its classification in 1907 preserved the remaining remains, although its original length (estimated at 20–24 m) was reduced to 10.5 m. Today, it is a communal property that bears witness to the technical know-how of prehistoric builders and their religious symbolism.

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