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Origin and history

The dolmen dit Pierre Levée de Massigny is a megalithic monument located in Villiers, in the department of Vienna. Daed of Neolithic, it presents itself today in a ruined form, with remains of its tumulus still visible. The dolmen is 4.50 metres long by 2.5 metres wide, and its chamber, bounded by five orthostats, was initially covered by a limestone cover table, now broken in half. Three blocks east of the chamber could correspond to the debris of a portal, suggesting an angeline dolmen. The clandestine excavations revealed human bone fragments, including teeth, phalange and long bones, attesting to its funeral use.

The monument was classified as historic monuments by order of 14 June 1971, thereby recognizing its heritage importance. According to ancient descriptions, such as that of Thibaudeau in 1833, taken over by L. Racinoux, the ruin of the dolmen was already advanced in the 19th century. The slabs, all in limestone, and the traces of a tumulus recall the architectural and ritual practices of Neolithic. Although partially destroyed, the site offers a valuable testimony of the megalithic constructions of the Poitou-Charentes region, now integrated into New Aquitaine.

Available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight the archaeological interest of the site, while noting the limitations of its precise location (estimated at 6/10 in terms of accuracy). Dolmen is referenced in the Merimée database under INSEE 86292, attached to the municipality of Villiers. Its present state, though degraded, still allows to study the construction techniques and funeral uses of local neolithic societies.

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