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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Polishoir at Beauregard d'Orches, located in the commune of Orches (Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), is an emblematic vestige of the Neolithic period. This megalithic monument, used to polish stone tools, illustrates the technical know-how of local prehistoric societies. Its state of conservation and its rarity make it a valuable archaeological testimony to understand the craft activities of the time.

The site was officially recognized for its heritage importance, as evidenced by its classification as Historic Monuments by order of 30 May 1932. This legal protection underscores its scientific and historical value, although its exact location remains approximate (precision estimated at 5/10 depending on the sources). Available data, notably from the Merimée database and Monumentum, confirm its address to 7 Beauregard, 86230 Orchestras, without providing more details on its specific use or its discovery context.

In Neolithic, polishers were central elements in the production of polished stone tools, marking a major technological evolution compared to the carved tools of Paleolithic. These monuments were often associated with areas of raw material extraction or large workshops, reflecting an increasingly sedentary social and economic organization. In the Poitou-Charentes (now integrated into New Aquitaine), this period saw the development of agriculture, livestock and specialized crafts, of which this polishing is a concrete example.

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