Construction period Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Origin of dolmen
Avant 1841
Discovery of the dolmen
Discovery of the dolmen Avant 1841 (≈ 1841)
By Dr. Godelle
Vers 1850
Archaeological excavations
Archaeological excavations Vers 1850 (≈ 1850)
Archaeological Society of Soissons
17 mars 1944
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 17 mars 1944 (≈ 1944)
Protection order
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Docteur Godelle - Discovery of the site
Before 1841
Octave Vauvillé - Archaeologist
Collection of lithic objects
Société archéologique de Soissons - Organizer of excavations
Around 1850
Origin and history
The Dolmen de la Pierre Laye is a megalithic monument located in Vauxrezis, in the department of Aisne (Hauts-de-France). It dates from the Neolithic and consists of a large cover table of 4 meters long by 2 meters wide, initially supported by seven orthostats. Natural bowls or those associated with attempts to cut through a carrier are visible on the table.
The site was discovered before 1841 by Dr.Godelle and searched around 1850 by the archaeological society of Soissons. During the excavations, bones corresponding to about 20 skeletons were discovered in the funeral chamber. Nearby, lithic objects, including an unpolished axe, were collected by Octave Vauvillé.
Ranked a historic monument in 1944, the dolmen bears witness to neolithic funeral practices. Its current state reflects both its original use and traces of subsequent human activities, such as attempts to extract stone. The property today belongs to the municipality of Vauxrezis.
Archaeological research of the 19th century, including that of Octave Vauvillé and Soissons society, documented this site. The objects discovered, such as the axe, suggest an active human occupation in the area during Neolithic, with activities related to tooling and funeral rites.
