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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Suquet Incineration Even is an archaeological site located in the commune of Matelles, in the department of Herault (Occitanie). This monument, dated from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, bears witness to ancient funeral practices, thanks in particular to the presence of a prehistoric crematory oven. Ranked Historic Monument by order of 29 December 1952, it illustrates the importance of incineration rites in the protohistoric societies of the region.

The remains discovered in this aven (natural cavity) reveal a human occupation linked to funeral activities. At that time, local communities organized ceremonies around death, often collective, where incineration played a central role. This type of site, rare and well preserved, offers valuable insight into the beliefs and techniques of the populations of southern France between 5000 and 2000 B.C., a period marked by sedentarization and the beginnings of metallurgy.

The location of the site, reported with medieval accuracy (note 5/10), corresponds to the administrative address of the Matelles (code Insee 34153), in the former Languedoc-Roussillon region, now integrated into Occitanie. Available data from Monumentum sources and the Merimée database highlight its heritage interest, although practical information (access, visits) remains limited in the archives consulted.

The 1952 classification refers specifically to theaven and its prehistoric remains, including the crematory oven, located on cadastral plot D 18. This legal status protects the site from degradation and allows its scientific study, while making it potentially accessible to the public, subject to conservation constraints.

No information is available on any historical figures related to this monument or on specific events taking place there. Current knowledge focuses on its funerary use and archaeological context, without details on the communities that have frequented it. Future research could refine understanding of its role in the local prehistoric cultural landscape.

The photograph of the site, made by JYB Devot under Creative Commons license, and approximate GPS coordinates complete the documentary data. However, the lack of details on archaeological excavations or discovered objects limits the scope of interpretation, inviting the expert reports to be consulted for in-depth analysis.

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