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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Dolmen des Barrières No. 3, also known as Pierre Levée, is an archaeological site located in the municipality of Miers, in the department of Lot (Occitanie). This funerary monument, built at the end of the Neolithic or the Chalcolithic, is distinguished by its imposing dimensions and the exceptional state of conservation of its architectural elements. The funeral chamber, closed by orthostats exceeding 1.50 metres, is covered with a slab resting on carefully regulated supports. A precisely cut bedside slab perfectly closes the space, while a vestibule, consisting of two parallel slabs, opens the room to the southeast. The set is integrated into a cairn two meters high and more than forty meters long.

The site was listed as historic monuments by order of 29 February 2012, thereby recognizing its heritage value. The excavations and studies carried out underline the importance of this dolmen in the megalithic landscape of the Lot, where it reflects the funeral practices and architectural know-how of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic societies of the region. The regularity of orthostats and the accuracy of assembly suggest advanced technical mastery, as well as a desire for sustainability for this place of collective burial.

Dolmen is inserted in a regional context marked by the presence of many megalithic sites, reflecting a dense and organized human occupation during these periods. These monuments served not only as burial sites, but also as territorial and symbolic markers for local communities. Their construction involved significant social cooperation, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the materials available and the techniques used to cut and assemble the stone.

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