Construction of dolmen Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Estimated period of its construction.
11 septembre 1987
Classification of historical monuments
Classification of historical monuments 11 septembre 1987 (≈ 1987)
Official protection of the dolmen.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The dolmen (Case D 822): classification by order of 11 September 1987
Key figures
Information non disponible - No historical character cited
The sources don't mention any actors.
Origin and history
The Dolmen de la Pierre des Fades, also known as the Dolmen du Colombier, is a megalithic building located in the commune of Saint-Jean-d'Aubrigoux in the Haute-Loire department. Data of Neolithic, it consists of three orthostats (vertical pillars) and a cover table, now disappeared, which measured about 6 m2. This slab would have been reused in a stable, which is a testament to the transformation of the monument over the centuries.
Underground excavations revealed some artifacts, including three cut flints and ceramic teasses, although these elements are not sufficiently characteristic to draw precise conclusions. These remains, however, suggest human occupation and funeral or ritual practices at that time.
The dolmen has been classified as historic monuments since 11 September 1987, which underscores its heritage importance. According to local legend, this site was a place frequented by fairies, called Fades in regional folklore. This popular belief adds a mystical dimension to the monument, reflecting the oral narratives and traditions transmitted through the generations.
Historical sources also mention bibliographic references, such as the works of Laurent Barbier and Frédéric Surmely, which helped document the megaliths of the region. These studies allow to situate the dolmen in a wider archaeological context, in particular that of the megalithic sites of the Haute-Loire and Auvergne.
Finally, the dolmen is listed in the Merimée base, which facilitates its identification and location. Although GPS coordinates are not precise, its administrative address is associated with the commune of Saint-Jean-d'Aubrigoux, in the canton of Puy-en-Velay, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
