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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Dolmen de la Madeleine is an imposing megalithic monument located at Gennes-Val-de-Loire, in the department of Maine-et-Loire. Built in Neolithic, it is distinguished by its sandstone slabs, including two roof tables, one split in two. Its room, 2.7 meters high, is partially open, suggesting a portico originally disappeared. The site, reused as an agricultural shelter, underwent modifications such as a bread oven installed in the room.

Ranked a historic monument in 1930, the dolmen was the subject of archaeological observations, notably by Michel Gruet in 1940. He identified human bones and flint carved from the outside, confirming his original funeral use. The soil, overgrazed for further use, and the absence of a complete closure of the chamber reflect the transformations undergone over the centuries.

The dolmen illustrates neolithic funeral practices, with a structure designed to house remains and offerings. Its subsequent reuse as a utility space (cart shelter, bread oven) reflects the adaptation of prehistoric remains to the needs of local rural communities. Limited excavations reveal a partially preserved site, despite alterations related to its subsequent occupation.

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