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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The menhir says La Pierre-Fitte d'Aillant-sur-Tholon is a megalithic monument located in the department of Yonne, Burgundy-Franche-Comté. This white breach block, measuring 1.65 m high for 2.50 m wide, dates from Neolithic, a period marked by the emergence of agriculture and the first monumental stone structures. Its exact location is located near the so-called 2 Le Puits Avril, on the municipality of Aillant-sur-Tholon, in an area where traces of prehistoric occupation are attested by other similar sites.

The menhir was officially recognized for its heritage value by a classification of historical monuments on 10 February 1913, by a ministerial decree. This status protects the site and emphasizes its archaeological and cultural importance. The Pierre-Fitte illustrates the funeral or symbolic practices of local neolithic communities, although its precise use remains subject to interpretation, as for the majority of megaliths.

The menhir is made up of a local geological material (white breech), distinguished by its modest dimensions compared to other regional examples. Its conservation status and its approximate location (estimated at 6/10) make it a fragile witness of this period. Available sources, including Wikipedia and the Merimée database, confirm its administrative address in the municipality of Aillant-sur-Tholon, linked to Insee code 89003.

No information is available on any recent archaeological excavations or discoveries associated with this menhir. The bibliographical references, such as Pierre Glaizal's (Les menhirs de l'Yonne, 2007), suggest, however, a continuing interest in the study of megaliths in this department. The Creative Commons license associated with certain photos of the site facilitates its visual documentation.

Menhir is part of a wider network of megalithic sites in Yonne, reflecting an ancient and organized human occupation. These monuments, often linked to territorial rites or landmarks, testify to the social complexity of neolithic groups. Their preservation allows today to study the techniques of size, transport and erection of stones at a time when metal tools were still non-existent.

The current management of the site (access, visit, protection) is not detailed in the sources consulted. However, its classification as a historical monument involves monitoring by heritage services, guaranteeing its conservation for future generations. The approximate GPS location (2 Le Puits Avril) can serve as a starting point for researchers or visitors wishing to explore this unknown heritage.

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