Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Tumulus de la Hoguette is a neolithic funeral monument located in Fontenay-le-Marmion, Calvados. Dated between 3610 and 3100 B.C., it is distinguished by its Armo Rican architecture, with seven circular rooms accessible by corridors. His discovery has enabled us to identify a unique archaeological culture, the "group of La Hoguette", characterized by decorated ceramics and specific funeral practices.

The site was mentioned in 1829 during excavations conducted by the Société des Antiquaires de Normandie. In 1895, a summary search by amateur archaeologist G. Sausse did not reveal any relevant furniture. Between 1964 and 1969, an in-depth campaign studied its structure: a 29-metre-long cairn, lined with a local limestone wall, housing collective burials and a posterior crematory. Fragilized, the tumulus has been covered for its protection and is no longer visible today.

Funeral chambers contained between 4 and 14 individuals, buried in a bent position, accompanied by lithic tools and pottery. Room VI had internal partitioning, while stone pits damaged some structures. The furniture, including decorated vases and ornaments, revealed various cultural influences, such as Seine-Oise-Marne culture.

The tumulus has been a historical monument since December 8, 1975. His study highlighted complex funeral practices and cultural exchanges on a European scale. Today, although not visually accessible, there remains a major testimony of Neolithic in Normandy, linked to similar sites such as the tumulus of the Hogue, located nearby.

The ceramics discovered on the site, especially vases with garland decoration, allowed Christian Jeunesse to define in 1983 the "group of La Huguette". The latter brings together neolithic sites in North-West Europe sharing common material and chronological characteristics, stressing the importance of this tumulus in understanding prehistoric societies.

External links