Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Forêt-Noire is a group of four megalithic monuments located in Paley, Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France. These stone blocks, dated from the Neolithic, were used to polish and sharpen stone tools, testifying to the craft techniques of the time. They are typical of megalithic sites in the region, where prehistoric communities used local resources to make everyday objects or weapons.

The first polisher, the most imposing, was broken in two parts around 1900 by a carrier seeking to exploit it. Despite this fragmentation, the fragments retain visible grooves and polishing bowls attesting to their intensive use. This polisher was classified as historical monuments on 28 February 1923, recognizing its archaeological and heritage value.

The other three, though less imposing, polishers have traces of erosion and polishing bowls of various sizes. The second is a flat rock with a very eroded bowl, while the third, placed on a slab of sandstone 4 meters long, has two separate bowls. The fourth, the smallest, shows a polished surface of 18 cm by 10 cm, despite its degraded state. These elements illustrate the diversity of techniques and supports used by Neolithic artisans.

The site is referenced in heritage bases such as Mérimée and is the subject of archaeological studies, notably cited in Alain Bénard's work on the megaliths of Seine-et-Marne. These polishers are part of a wider network of megalithic sites in the region, reflecting the importance of stone-cutting and polishing activities during the Neolithic period in Île-de-France.

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