Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Dolmen de Peyrelevade, also known as the Occitan de Jayantière ("raised stone"), is an iconic megalithic monument located about 3 km north of the village of Vaour, in the department of Tarn. It has been a Neolithic monument since 1889 (between -2500 and -1500), making it one of the most important archaeological sites in the region. This dolmen, the largest in Tarn, illustrates the funeral and cultural practices of local prehistoric societies, with a prolonged use up to about -500.

The region of Vaour, occupied from the age of ancient bronze (circa 1800 to 1400 BC), houses several megalithic remains, including the dolmen of Peyrelevade. This site is part of a landscape marked by wooded hills and limestone causses, typical of Gaillacois. Neolithic populations in this area were mainly organized around agriculture, breeding and funeral rituals, as evidenced by dolmens and other megalithic structures scattered throughout the region.

The Dolmen de Peyrelevade, now owned by the commune of Vaour, is a remarkable example of the collective funeral architecture of the Neolithic. These monuments, often associated with beliefs related to death and beyond, served as burials for several individuals. Their construction reflects a complex social organization and advanced technical mastery for the time, especially in the transport and assembly of large stones.

Although few documents specifically detail the history of this dolmen, its early classification as Historic Monument underscores its heritage importance. It is integrated into a rich local heritage, including a former Templar Commandery and a Romanesque church, which attest to the continued occupation of this territory for millennia.

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