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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Covered Stone of Duneau is a dolmen located in the department of Sarthe, Pays de la Loire. This megalithic monument, classified as historical monuments since 1889, is a typical example of dolmen angevin. It consists of a trapezoidal sepulchral chamber of 5.60 metres long, bounded by five orthostats, and covered by a fragmented cover table measuring 6.60 metres long by 4.50 metres wide.

The structure, a slab height of about 1.60 metres, is sometimes confused with the Connerré dolmen on old postcards, although it is a mistake. The site is mentioned in specialized works, such as The Discovery of Megaliths in Sarthe (1992) by Jean-Paul Henri Berthet, who describes its architectural characteristics. The dolmen is also referenced in the Merimée base as covered stone, with a precise location at Duneau (code Insee 72122).

This monument illustrates the importance of megalithic sites in the region, often associated with neolithic funeral practices. Its early classification in 1889 underscores its heritage and archaeological value. Local studies, such as those of Edmond Hue on the menhir by Pierre Fiche at Duneau, contribute to a better understanding of the prehistoric context of the Sarthe, where megaliths play a key role in the ancient history of the territory.

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