First written entry 1828 (≈ 1828)
By F. Jouannet, first known reference.
1874
Archaeological search
Archaeological search 1874 (≈ 1874)
Leaded by the Société archéologique du Périgord.
1889
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 1889 (≈ 1889)
Official protection of the dolmen.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
F. Jouannet - First mentioner
Cited the dolmen in 1828.
Édouard Galy - Archaeologist
Described the monument in 1874.
L. Drouyn et A. de Gourgues - 19th-century observers
Studyed dolmen before 1874.
Origin and history
The Dolmen de Peyre-Brune, also known as Peyrebrune or Pierre-Brune, is a megalithic monument located in Saint-Aquilin, Dordogne, New Aquitaine. It is located on a forest road linking the hamlet of Seyssac to the village of Segonzac, at about 200 meters above sea level. This dolmen, erected on the sands of the upper Eocene with slabs of siderolithic sandstone, has a sepulchral chamber 2.70 m long on 1.90 m wide, facing north-west/south-east. Its cover table, measuring 2.75 m long, partially slipped from its supports.
The first written mention of dolmen dates back to 1828 by F. Jouannet, followed by observations by L. Drouyn and A. de Gourgues. In 1874, an archaeological excavation carried out by the Société archéologique du Périgord enabled Édouard Galy to provide a detailed description. The monument was classified as historical monuments in 1889. The excavations revealed lithic tools (haches, knives, arrow tips), ornaments, and grey pottery studs, typical of artenac culture, although the site was reused during the time of La Tene III.
According to a local legend reported in 1830, the dolmen houses the burial of a military leader married to a fairy, killed in a battle. The fairy reportedly ordered six pages to erect the monument with stones, while cursed anyone touching the grave. Part of the funerary furniture discovered is now preserved at the Art and Archaeology Museum of Périgord in Périgueux.
The dolmen is composed of six orthostats of 0.80 m high and a cover table inclined southeast. Plant ash and charcoal found in the chamber confirm its funeral use. The precise location of the site is estimated with satisfactory accuracy (level 8/10), and the monument belongs to the commune of Saint-Aquilin.
