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Origin and history

The Dolmen de Saint-Paul, also known as Pierre Levée, is a megalithic monument located in Sainte-Cécile-du-Cayrou, Tarn department, Occitanie region. This dolmen, dated Neolithic, is a typical example of the funeral buildings of this period, characterized by the use of large erect stones (orthostats) and a covering slab. It was classified as historical monuments in 1889, thus highlighting its heritage and archaeological importance.

The dolmen consists of three local limestone orthostats, supporting a cover table of the same material. The funeral chamber he housed was partially searched clandestinely at an indefinite time, but subsequent discoveries revealed seventy-two flints and six pottery coats. These artifacts provide valuable insights into the rituals and tools used by Neolithic populations in the region.

The study of this monument has been documented in specialized works, notably in the book Les Mégalithes du département du Tarn (1981) by Jean Lautier, member of the Fédération Tarnaise de Spéléo-Archéologie. This dolmen is part of a wider set of megalithic sites in the Tarn, reflecting an ancient human occupation and shared cultural practices at the regional level.

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