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Origin and history

The dolmen of the Hôtel-Dieu, also known as the Druides Stone, is a megalithic monument located in a field to the northwest of the municipality of Sales (Eure), near the farm of the Hôtel-Dieu whose name it bears. Built of a peddingue, it consists of a covering slab of 2.60 m × 2.10 m, thick of 0.80 m, supported by seven vertical supports, four of which moved over time, partially reversing the structure. The floor of the funeral chamber, covered with square slabs (10 to 40 cm side), retains an archaeological layer of 40 cm, surmounted by a level of blocks that can be interpreted as a condemnation of the site.

Excavations conducted in 1967 by Jean-Pierre Watté revealed bones of two individuals, accompanied by flint objects (arms of arrows, axe, polished scissors) and siliceous degreasing ceramic fragments. A set consisting of a spent marine shell (nucella lapillus), a quadrangular pearl and a microcrystalline quartz pearl was also exhumed. The monument, exceptionally preserved from looting, shows only traces of animal activity. His first written mention dates back to 1840 by Louis-Léon Gadebled, who evokes two dolmens about the commune.

In 1879, the Viscount of Pulligny described the dolmen as inclined due to the disappearance of two supports. Historical confusion arose in 1896 when Léon Coutil, president of the Société préhistoire française, declared it destroyed by mistake in his inventory, before correcting it in 1898 after a visit to the site. He then drew up a plan and sketch, published in 1909. Meanwhile, Alphonse-Georges Poulain reported the error in 1907 and pleaded for its ranking, effective by order of 2 January 1910. An oil painting, made by Mr. Papon and preserved at the Musée d'Evreux, bears witness to its 19th century appearance.

Dolmen illustrates neolithic funeral practices in Normandy, with a likely re-use over several generations. The objects discovered (tools, trimmings, ceramics) reflect a sedentary society mastering the size of flint, agriculture and handicrafts. Its early ranking in 1910 underscores its heritage importance, despite the agricultural threats (stones piled up by a farmer to clear the field). Today, a communal property, he remains a rare witness to the collective burials of that time.

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