Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

La Pierre Fiche, also known as menhir de Pierrefiche, is an iconic megalithic monument located in the municipality of Duneau, in the department of Sarthe. This imposing stone block, measuring 3.30 meters in height and up to 2.50 meters in width, is distinguished by natural geological peculiarities: about twenty small depressions and a horizontal perforation of 8 cm on its eastern face. These characteristics, although apparently natural, add to its mystery and archaeological interest.

Ranked as a historical monument in 1889, this menhir testifies to the early emphasis on the preservation of prehistoric remains in France. Its listing that year made it one of the department's first protected megalithic sites. Studies conducted in the 20th century, such as those of Edmond Hue in 1931 or Jean-Paul Henri Berthet in 1992, have helped document its history and its specificities, thus linking it to the wider megalithic heritage of the Sarthe.

The Duneau Menhir is part of a larger archaeological landscape, including other megalithic sites in the region. Although its exact use remains uncertain, as for the majority of menhirs, it is generally associated with ritual or funeral practices of neolithic societies. Today, it is a point of interest for those passionate about history and archaeology, while remaining accessible to the public in its original environment.

External links