Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Dolmen de Mauvans Sud is a megalithic monument located in Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, in the Alpes-Maritimes department. This archaeological site, which has been listed as historic monuments since 26 April 1989, consists of a tumulus 15 metres in diameter, a rectangular burial chamber bounded by five orthostats, and a 1.80 m long access corridor. Excavations revealed human bones, lithic tools (arrow points, losangic alenes), pearls and pottery teeth, dated from the final Neolithic II to the middle or final Bronze Age.

The dolmen illustrates the funerary practices of this period, with varied archaeological furniture bearing witness to local rituals and crafts. The megalithic structure, typical of prehistoric burial sites, was probably a collective burial site. The elements discovered, such as trimming elements and tools, suggest a society organized around agricultural and artisanal practices, with an emphasis on funeral rites.

The precise location of the dolmen is indicated as being close to the road of Saint-Vallier, on the cadastre B1 991. Although the accuracy of this location is considered mediocre (level 5 out of 10), the site remains a key testimony of the megalithic heritage of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Available sources, including Claude Salicis et al. (2014), confirm its importance in the study of the prehistoric monuments of the Alpes-Maritimes.

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