Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Billième's cupular blocks form a set of six archaeological sites around the village in the Savoy department. These stones, engraved with cupulas (small circular or oval depressions), are distributed over a circle of about 1,825 meters in diameter centered on Billeme. The Lachat site, one of the six, has a single stone with six cups, while other sites such as Santourin have up to 37. These remains are associated with ancient human practices, potentially linked to heavenly or ritual representations.

Archaeological excavations at these sites revealed traces of charcoals dated between 2917 and 1884 B.C., placing their origin at the end of the Neolithic or early Bronze Age. Several excavation campaigns were carried out, notably by Joseph Tournier in 1923, Anthelme Dubiez in 1937, Lucien Lagier-Bruno between 1971 and 1979, Bernard Quinet in 1983, and Françoise Ballet and Philippe Raffaelli in 1990. These studies provided a better understanding of the organization and function of these cupstones.

Billième Cupular Blocks were classified as historic monuments in May 1939, recognizing their heritage importance. The Lachat site, like the others, has been protected since that date. Their geographical layout, almost circular around the village, suggests an intentional organization, perhaps linked to cultural or religious practices of the time. These stones remain a rare testimony of prehistoric human activities in the region.

External links