First phase of destruction 359-274 av. J.-C. (≈ 317 av. J.-C.)
Age of iron by radiocarbon.
vers 1500 ap. J.-C.
Second phase of destruction
Second phase of destruction vers 1500 ap. J.-C. (≈ 100)
Modern period identified by analysis.
1862
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 1862 (≈ 1862)
Inclusion in the list of historical monuments.
1883
First description by Adrien de Mortillet
First description by Adrien de Mortillet 1883 (≈ 1883)
Three menhirs in triangle.
1893
Additional study by Adrien de Mortillet
Additional study by Adrien de Mortillet 1893 (≈ 1893)
Mention of five additional menhirs missing.
2014-2015
Scheduled archaeological searches
Scheduled archaeological searches 2014-2015 (≈ 2015)
Discovery of dated pits and artifacts.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Menhir de Vaccil-Vecchio : classification by list of 1862
Key figures
Adrien de Mortillet - Archaeologist and Prehistorian
Described the site in 1883 and 1893.
Origin and history
The menhir of Vaccil Vecchiu is a megalithic monument located in Grossa, South Corsica, erected during the Bronze Age. In 1883, Adrien de Mortillet described three menhirs arranged in triangles, of which only one remains intact today. According to local accounts, five smaller menhirs, forming a pentagon, would have existed before being removed to facilitate cultivation.
Archaeological excavations conducted in 2014-15 confirmed the previous presence of two menhir alignments oriented north-west/south-east. They also revealed five pits of missing menhir implantation, as well as dobsidian and ceramic fragments. These discoveries suggest dating to the ancient Bronze, with two phases of destruction identified: a first at the Iron Age (359-274 B.C.) and a second around 1500 A.C.
Ranked a historic monument in 1862, the site was thoroughly studied to understand its environmental and archaeological context. The remaining 2.93 m high menhir is the only visible witness of this once more complex megalithic ensemble. The research underlines its importance for the study of ritual and social practices of the time in Corsica.
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