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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The cupular block of Santourin, also known as the Crêtets-Santourin, is a coupula stone located in the commune of Billeème, Savoie (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). This monument, classified as historical monuments since May 22, 1939, is located on the southern slope of Mont de la Charve. It is part of a set of six cupular blocks scattered around the village, reflecting an ancient human occupation in this area.

The stone has 37 cups, circular or oval depressions a few centimetres in diameter, carved by man. During the excavations carried out between 1974 and 1979 by Lucien Lagier-Bruno, then in 1983 and 1990 by other archaeologists, remains of a sheep park, a shepherd's cabin, as well as materials dated Neolithic and Bronze Age were discovered. These discoveries suggest a pastoral and ritual use of the site.

Carbon 14 dates, made on charcoal found at the base of the stone, revealed two periods of occupation: around 2917 BC (Recent Neolithic) and 1884 BC (Initial Bronze Age). These results confirm the chronological importance of the site, which is part of a prehistoric tradition of symbolic marking of landscapes by cupped stones.

The cupular block of Santourin is now protected as an architectural and archaeological heritage. His classification in 1939 and subsequent studies made him a key witness to understanding the cultural and pastoral practices of prehistoric societies in Savoie. The site remains accessible, although its precise location is assessed as poor (level 5/10) in the geographic databases.

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