Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The dolmens de la Pierre Couverte, located in Marcilly-le-Hayer in the department of l'Aube, form a set of two megalithic burials: the dolmen de Vamprin and the dolmen des Blancs Fossés. Located about 700 metres away, these monuments date from the recent Neolithic and Chalcolithic. Their typical architecture, composed of vertical slabs (orthostats) and cover tables, illustrates the funeral practices of this era.

The Dolmen des Blancs Fossés, classified on 29 September 1936, is characterized by a sepulchral chamber bounded by two parallel orthostats and a bedside slab, covered with a single table. It is located close to a slope fracture and opens to the south, perpendicular to the river Orvin. Its modest structure (2 m long, 1 m wide and high) reflects a neat but sober construction.

The Dolmen de Vamprin, classified on October 2, 1936, has a north-east/south-west orientation and a chamber bounded by two orthostates and two bedside slabs, all inclined inward. Its cover table, almost quadrangular, exceeds lateral supports. A large stone inclined in front of the building could be a menhir, mentioned in ancient texts. This dolmen shows similar construction techniques to those observed elsewhere in Europe.

These two monuments, protected for their archaeological value, offer an overview of funeral rites and technical know-how of the prehistoric societies of the region. Their classification among historical monuments underlines their heritage importance. Sources, including the work of D. Jourdain (1990), document their study and integration into the megalithic landscape of the Dawn.

The location of the dolmens, near the Fosse Blancs in Marcilly-le-Hayer, is attested by approximate GPS coordinates. However, their conservation status and accessibility remain poorly documented in available sources. These remains, among the oldest in the Greater East region, recall the ancient human occupation of the forest territory.

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