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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Dolmen de Garde-Épée is a megalithic monument located in the commune of Saint-Brice, in the department of Charente (New Aquitaine). Built during the Neolithic period, it is distinguished by its structure in slabs of grey sandstone, rare rock in the area. The funerary chamber, rectangular in shape (5 m x 2.5 m), is bounded by five orthostats 2.20 m high and covered with two roof tables, the largest of which is 6 m long. This dolmen, used as a shelter or barn at a later time, delivered archaeological remains such as polished axes and bones.

Ranked a historic monument by decree of 22 December 1926, the dolmen of Garde-Épée is now owned by the Charente Archaeological and Historical Society, thanks to a legacy of Philippe Delamain. Nearby, a natural rock called Rocher de la Vache has sometimes been confused with a second dolmen, although it is a geological formation unrelated to megalithism. The old photographs reveal later developments, such as a dry stone wall connecting two orthostats, probably added when used as storage space.

The site is part of a larger megalithic landscape, characteristic of the West Central of France. The excavations and studies, such as those mentioned in the works of Roger Joussaume (2016) and Jean-Sébastien Pourtaud (2021), underline its importance in understanding funeral practices and regional neolithic architecture. Its state of conservation and protection make it a valuable testimony of this period, accessible to researchers and the public interested in prehistoric heritage.

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