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Origin and history

The dolmen des Puades is a megalithic building located in Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, Alpes-Maritimes. Discovered in 1866 by Bourguignat, it was emptied shortly after its discovery. This dolmen is integrated into a 10-metre-diameter tumulus, with an east-west oriented funeral chamber, 1.75 m long by 1.65 m wide. It is preceded by a corridor of 3 m long, and several fragments of slabs are visible around the structure. Human bones and a variety of funerary furniture were discovered, including flint and iron tools, ornaments, and decorated pottery coats.

The Puade dolmen testifies to a use during Chalcolithic, with a re-use at the age of iron. The objects found include flint and iron arrow tips, quartz pebbles, pierced boar canines, bronze bracelets, and charcoal. These elements suggest complex funeral practices and prolonged site occupancy. The monument was listed as historic monuments on 26 April 1989, recognizing its archaeological and heritage significance.

The dolmen structure consists of a large bedside slab, two orthostats, and two dry stone walls. Its current state allows us to study the megalithic construction techniques of the era. The excavations and studies carried out, notably by Sylvain Gagnière and Claude Salicis, have helped document this site, offering insights into funeral practices and lifestyles of the ancient populations of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

The dolmen des Puades is part of a wider set of megalithic sites in the Alpes-Maritimes, reflecting an ancient human occupation and shared funeral traditions. Its precise location, close to the road of Saint-Vallier, makes it an accessible site for archaeological studies and heritage visits. Available sources, including the publications of the Institute of Prehistory and Archaeology Alpes Méditerranée, provide a better understanding of its historical and cultural context.

Finally, this dolmen illustrates the importance of megalithic monuments in the region, serving as both burial and territorial marker. The objects discovered, such as ornaments and tools, reveal cultural exchanges and craftsmanship. Today, the dolmen of the Puades is protected and studied to preserve this exceptional heritage and transmit knowledge about the prehistoric societies of the region.

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