Construction period Néolithique (≈ 4100 av. J.-C.)
Estimated erection of the menhir.
1906
First written entry
First written entry 1906 (≈ 1906)
Reported by Felix Mazauric.
24 septembre 1936
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 24 septembre 1936 (≈ 1936)
Official protection by order.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Menhir de Courbessac (Box Z 731): Order of 24 September 1936
Key figures
Félix Mazauric - Local scholar
Reported the menhir in 1906.
Origin and history
The Menhir de Courbessac, also known as the Menhir de la Poudrière ou de la Clauze, is a megalith 2.17 metres high. It stands near the village of Courbessac, on the commune of Nîmes, in the department of Gard. Located on the edge of the Avignon road and close to the Nîmes-Courbessac airfield, it was first reported in 1906 by Felix Mazauric, a local scholar.
This prehistoric monument dates from Neolithic, a period marked by the emergence of agriculture and livestock in Europe. Menhirs, erected stones often associated with funeral or ritual practices, testify to the social organization and beliefs of the communities of the time. Their location near communication channels or strategic points suggests a symbolic or territorial role.
Ranked as historical monuments on September 24, 1936, the Courbessac Menhir is now protected for its archaeological value. Its state of conservation and its location make it a remarkable vestige of the Gard's megalithic heritage. Available sources, such as the Merimée database or Wikipedia, confirm its importance in the study of neolithic societies in the Occitanie region.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review