Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Dolmen de Passe-Bonneau, also known as the Dolmen des Essarts, is a megalithic monument located in La Châtre-Langlin, in the department of Indre. Data from Neolithic, it is composed of a heart-shaped cover table, measuring 3.30 meters in length, resting on five pillars. The inner chamber, rectangular, is 2.50 meters long with a width of 0.60 to 0.70 meters. A small engraved cross adorns the southern tip of the cover table, which is slightly inclined.

In 1840, the dolmen granite slabs were considered for the construction of the Argenton-sur-Creuse bridge. Although the monument eventually escaped destruction, other nearby stones, including a possible menhir, were used for this project. The dolmen was classified as a historical monument in 1889, ensuring its preservation.

The Dolmen de Passe-Bonneau is part of a perfect alignment of three megaliths, including the Menhir de la Croix des Randes and the Dolmen des Gorces. This set reflects the importance of megalithic construction in this region during the Neolithic period, marked by the emergence of agriculture and livestock, as well as the sedentarization of populations. These monuments probably served as places of burial or worship, reflecting the beliefs and social organization of the communities of the time.

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