Construction of covered roadway Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Period of construction of the funeral monument.
1862 et 1889
Classification of historical monuments
Classification of historical monuments 1862 et 1889 (≈ 1889)
Double listing by official list.
1969
Major archaeological searches
Major archaeological searches 1969 (≈ 1969)
Discovery of artifacts and absence of bones.
1970
Restoration and discovery
Restoration and discovery 1970 (≈ 1970)
Highlighting of a septal slab.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Dolmen (Box B 1033): Lists of 1862 and 1889
Key figures
Information non disponible - No historical character cited
Sources do not mention any identified actors.
Origin and history
The covered street of Bretteville, also known as the Forge or the Clos-ès-Pierre, is a megalithic monument dated to the Neolithic. Located on the town of Bretteville, in the department of Manche (Normandie), it is precisely at the place called Brettefey, near the hamlet of Forge. This funerary site, oriented north-west/south-east, is 15 metres long with a width of 0.80 to 1 metre. It is bounded by 16 orthostats (nine to the west, seven to the east) and covered with eight covering slabs, one of which is granite, the other in arkose or quartz shale. An internal septal slab, discovered in 1970, symbolically separated a space dedicated to the dead (north) and another to the living (south).
Ranked as historical monuments by the lists of 1862 and 1889, it was searched in 1969, revealing artifacts such as cut flints, fragments of pottery, ornaments and a polished sandstone axe. No bone trace was found, probably due to soil acidity. In the 19th century, archaeologists referred to it as "dolmen de la pierre branlante" or "galerie à logan". A local legend attributes its construction to fairies, supposed to have transported the stones, weighing several tons, to make it their home.
The lateral entrance of the driveway and the separation between the chamber and the vestibule by a slit slab illustrate its funeral and ritual use. The site, owned by the commune, bears witness to neolithic practices in Lower Normandy. Its state of conservation and its architectural characteristics make it a remarkable example of the covered aisles of the region, although its exact location is considered "passable" (precision 5/10) according to the heritage databases.
The available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) confirm its double ranking in 1862 and 1889 under the name "Dolmen (Box B 1033)". The approximate address, 88 Route des Chênes, and code Insee 50077 (Manche) allow it to be located in the canton of Saint-Lô. No information is provided on its current accessibility (visits, rentals) or possible tourist facilities.
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