The carved allée couverte of Dampsmesnil

Deep in the woods of La Garenne in Dampsmesnil, France, lies an allée couverte. This megalith dates back to the final Neolithic period, built by sedentary farmers of the Seine-Oise-Marne culture. Unlike most other monuments of its kind, this allée couverte features a unique carved decoration on one of its supports.

The chamber of the monument is a striking structure, with a total length of 10.5 meters and a free height of 2 meters. The first support to the left of the pierced slab is decorated with a relief of a female figure, an oval shape framed by three concentric rings with two protruding nipples. This sculpture is believed to symbolize a "death goddess" or funerary goddess, reflecting a possible Mediterranean influence. It is the only megalith in Normandy with such a carved decoration.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the monument was reused during the Roman period, at which time it was emptied of bones and furnishings. Despite this reuse, it retained its role as a burial site, as human bones mixed with pottery fragments were found inside. Later, before the Revolution, researchers sought hidden treasures within the site without leaving any written records.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the monument was handed over to quarry workers. Many of its limestone slabs were broken for construction material, and some were thrown down the hill. While the vicomte de Pulligny first described the site in 1879, noting that it was still covered by slabs at the time, the monument remains a significant archaeological site today. It was officially classified as a historical monument in 1907.

While the allée couverte at Dampsmesnil may not be as grandiose as some other megaliths, it remains a significant testament to the Neolithic era and the cultures that inhabited this region long ago.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons