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Origin and history

The dolmens of the Muraires are two megalithic monuments located in the Var department, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Dolmen No. 1 is located in the commune of Luc, while dolmen No. 2 is located in Cabasse. These funeral buildings, characteristic of prehistory, reflect the sepulchral practices of the Chalcolithic, a period of transition between Neolithic and Bronze Age.

Dolmen No. 1 was discovered in 1962 by Gérard Bérard and then damaged in 1974 during agricultural work. A search by Berard in the same year revealed a structure consisting of a sepulchral chamber divided into two parts, preceded by a short corridor. Archaeological furniture, including a broken rock crystal and a rare lignite pearl, was dated from the early Chalcolithic period. The tumulus, about 10 metres in diameter, was restored in 1989 by Hélène Barge after its acquisition by the commune.

This dolmen has been listed as historical monuments since 2 December 1988. Its architecture reveals a neat construction, with dry stone walls and transverse slabs. The search identified two distinct levels of occupancy in the room, suggesting extended use of the site. Conversely, Dolmen No. 2 in Cabasse was never searched. Covered by an oval tumulus of 10 meters by 8, it shows only two broken slabs, probably indicating a similar but less well preserved structure.

The objects discovered, like the 8 cm lignite pearl, are remarkable for their rarity in the south of France. They illustrate the symbolic and cultural importance of these collective burials. The dolmens of the Muraries are part of a wider set of megalithic sites of the Var, reflecting the exchanges and funeral practices of the prehistoric communities of the region.

The protection and restoration of Dolmen No. 1 underscore its heritage interest. Hélène Barge's work helped stabilize the structure, while preserving the traces of earlier excavations. Today, this monument offers a tangible testimony to the construction techniques and funeral rites of the Chalcolithic, a pivotal period in European history.

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