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Origin and history

The Menhir dit La Pierre de Dessus-Bise is a megalithic monument located in Sars-Poteries, in the department of the North ( Hauts-de-France region). A source of Protohistory, it bears witness to the ancient occupation of this region, marked by traces of human activities dating back several millennia. This type of monument, typical of prehistoric societies, probably served as a territorial landmark, place of worship or funeral marker.

Protohistory in the North of France corresponds to a period of transition between neolithic societies and the emergence of Celtic cultures, before Romanization. The region, then covered by forests and wetlands, was inhabited by agro-pastoral communities organized into tribes. Menhirs, like Sars-Poteries, were often erected in strategic areas, reflecting a complex social and spiritual organization.

Ranked a Historical Monument by the list of 1862, this menhir is now owned by the municipality of Sars-Poteries. Its local name, Dessus-Bise, may evoke a position exposed to winds, although its exact origin remains uncertain. The monument is part of a larger megalithic heritage, characteristic of the Hauts-de-France, where other protohistoric remains attest to a dense and structured human occupation.

The department of the Nord, in which Sars-Poteries is located, is marked by a rich history, influenced by its border position and its cultural exchanges with neighbouring regions, such as present-day Belgium. In the protohistoric era, this zone was a crossroads between the Celtic cultures of northern Gaul and the Germanic peoples, favoring a significant archaeological diversity.

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