Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The dolmen of the Pech d'Agaïo, located in the commune of Saint-Chels in the Lot, is an emblematic vestige of the Neolithic period. This megalithic monument, typical of the funeral buildings of the time, illustrates the know-how of the sedentary communities that then occupied the region. Its architecture, composed of large erect stones, probably served as a collective burial, reflecting beliefs and rituals related to death.

Ranked Historic Monument by decree of 12 July 1989, the Dolmen of the Pech d'Agaïo enjoys an official protection that emphasizes its heritage importance. The location of the site, although reported with an accuracy deemed "passable" (note 5/10), remains accessible and documented in the Merimée database. This ranking reflects the desire to preserve this archaeological heritage, providing researchers and the public with an overview of Neolithic cultural practices in southwestern France.

The region, now integrated into Occitanie (formerly Midi-Pyrénées), was in the Neolithic era a territory marked by nascent agriculture, breeding and handicrafts. The dolmens, like that of the Pech of Agaïo, played a central role in the social and spiritual organization of the communities. Their collective construction strengthened the ties between the members of the group, while materializing their relationship with the territory and their ancestors.

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