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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Colbas I dolmen is part of a set of two dolmens located in Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, in the Alpes-Maritimes. This megalithic monument, registered as a historical monument since 26 April 1989, is one of the most imposing in the department. It is surrounded by a tumulus of 14 meters in diameter, and its internal structure includes a funeral chamber of 1.80 m by 1.50 m, bounded by three orthostates, as well as an antechamber and an access corridor. Archaeological excavations revealed human bones, bone and bronze objects, as well as ceramic coats, attesting to a date of Chalcolithic occupation.

The dolmen of Colbas I is distinguished by its elaborate architecture, marked by two large pillars separating the funeral chamber from the antechamber. The artifacts discovered, such as a bone pendant and pearls, including one in bronze, suggest complex funeral and artisanal practices. In the vicinity, the more modest Colbas II dolmen with a tumulus of 8 metres in diameter also delivered human and animal bones, confirming a similar use during the same period.

These dolmens illustrate the funerary traditions of Chalcolithic in south-eastern France, where the Neolithic communities erected collective tombs in stone. Their presence in Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne demonstrates the importance of this site in the regional megalithic landscape. The inscription of the Colbas I Dolmen as a historical monument underscores its heritage and archaeological value, while allowing its preservation for future generations.

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