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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Dolmen de Bidot, also known as the Dolmen de Meilhorat, is a megalithic monument located at the place called "Cairo", in the municipality of Mas-d'Azil, in the department of Ariège. This site, dated from Neolithic, reflects the funeral practices of that time and is one of many megalithic sites in the region. It was classified as historical monuments in 1889, making it one of the first such monuments to enjoy official protection in France.

Bidot's dolmen is identified as a neolithic necropolis, meaning that it served as a collective burial place for the local populations of that period. The dolmens, characteristic of megalithic architecture, were generally built to house the deceased and mark their presence in the landscape. This monument is referenced in heritage databases, including Mérimée, and has been studied, such as those conducted by Bruno Portet in his Inventory of Megaliths of Ariège (1997).

The location of the dolmen in Mas-d'Azil is part of a territory rich in prehistoric remains, thanks to the cave of Mas-d'Azil, an emblematic site of the region. Bidot's dolmen, although less known than other monuments of Ariège, contributes to the understanding of funeral practices and beliefs of neolithic societies. Its early ranking in 1889 underscores its heritage and archaeological importance, although the information available on its architecture or precise use remains limited in current sources.

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