Classification of tumulus 1840 (≈ 1840)
Ranked Historic Monument by the first list.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Tumulus : list by 1840
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character identified
No mention in the sources.
Origin and history
The Tumulus du Tertre, located in Soings-en-Sologne, is a funeral monument dating from the Prehistory. It was ranked among the Historical Monuments in 1840, during the first protection list, reflecting its archaeological and heritage significance. This site is one of two recognized tumuli in the commune, alongside the tumulus of the Montanjons, classified in 1934.
Soings-en-Sologne, a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department in the Centre-Val de Loire region, is marked by a rich human occupation since the Prehistory. The presence of these tumuli, typical funeral structures of this period, suggests an ancient occupation of the territory, linked to complex ritual and social practices. The area, now known for its wood and meadow landscapes, was already a space of life and burial for prehistoric communities.
The tumulus of the Tertre is part of a preserved natural environment, where agricultural and forestry spaces dominate. The municipality, crossed by the Conon, a tributary of the Beuvron, is also characterized by the presence of protected natural areas, such as the Natura 2000 site of the Sologne and the local ZNIEFS. These elements reinforce the historical and ecological interest of the territory, where heritage and biodiversity coexist.
The history of Soings-en-Sologne is not limited to the Prehistory: the municipality also houses Gallo-Roman remains, including a necropolis, as well as an 11th century church, reflecting a continuous occupation throughout the ages. However, the tumulus of the Tertre remains one of the oldest testimonies of human activity in this part of the Sologne, emphasizing its role in understanding the prehistoric societies of the region.
The tumulus of the Tertre, which was ranked very early among the Historical Monuments, illustrates the importance attached to the preservation of archaeological sites in France as early as the 19th century. Its classification in 1840, under the impetus of Prosper Mérimée, reflects a desire to protect a heritage then threatened by agricultural and industrial transformations. Today, it is an essential marker of the historical and cultural landscape of Soings-en-Sologne.
