Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The menhir dit La Pierre qui Pousse is a prehistoric monument located in Aubigny-au-Bac, in the department of the North ( Hauts-de-France region). Dated from the Neolithic, this Landenian sandstone block is 2.90 m high (of which 1.48 m emerged) for 2.15 m wide and 0.70 m thick. It is partially grounded in marshy soil, on a path leading to Brunémont. Its shape evoking a horse head and its absence of a clear archaeological context make it an atypical megalith, classified as a historical monument since 1979.

According to a local tradition, the stone would "push" again, hence its name. This belief could be explained by the movements of the marshy terrain, giving the illusion of slow growth. Menhir, owned by the municipality, is listed in the inventory of historical monuments by decree of 22 November 1979. However, no archaeological evidence confirms its exact use or its connection to neolithic practices, although its morphology and implantation suggest a prehistoric origin.

The site is accessible via a walking path in the marsh d-Aubigny-au-Bac, near the approximate address 5 Rue de l'Abbaye. The GPS coordinates and the Merimée base precisely locate it in this wetland, typical of the northern river landscape. Menhir illustrates both the regional megalithic heritage and the folk tales associated with erect stones, common in prehistoric European cultures.

External links