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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Menhir de Saint-Civière, also known as Pierre Saint-Siviard or Menhir l'Ervault, is an emblematic megalith located in the commune of Pas, in the department of Mayenne. This monument, erected during the Neolithic period, lies precisely between the so-called Herbourgère and the Grand Chemin. Its geographical location and its characteristic shape make it a major archaeological vestige of the Pays de la Loire region.

The menhir was recognized for its heritage importance in 1889, when it was classified as historic monuments. This listing highlights its historical and cultural value, thus protecting it for future generations. Today, there remains a tangible testimony of the practices and beliefs of local neolithic societies.

Available sources, such as the Merimée base or the Mégalithes du Monde site, confirm its status as a protected monument and provide details on its precise location. For example, his address referenced in Mérimée is 187 Le Buron, 53300 Le Pas, with an Insee code associated with the municipality of Mayenne (53176). These administrative elements reinforce its territorial and historical anchor.

In Neolithic, menhirs often served as territorial markers, places of worship or burials. In the regional context of the Pays de la Loire, these megaliths reflect a complex social organization, where sedentary communities structured their space around lasting symbols. The Menhir de Saint-Civière is part of this tradition, although its exact functions remain partially hypothetical in the absence of archaeological excavations detailed in the source text.

Finally, its alternative denomination (Pierre Saint-Siviard or Menhir l'Ervault) suggests a local appropriation of the monument over the centuries, perhaps mixing legends and history. These vernacular names add an intangible cultural dimension to this material heritage, emphasizing its role in collective memory.

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