A new dolmen, the first for Villefranche de Rouergue

A dolmen, also known as a portal tomb, portal grave, or quoit, is a type of single-chambermegalithic tomb, usually consisting of three or more upright stones supporting a large flat horizontal capstone (table), although there are also more complex variants. Most date from the early Neolithic period (4000 to 3000 BC). Dolmens were usually covered with earth or smaller stones to form a barrow, though in many cases that covering has weathered away, leaving only the stone "skeleton" of the burial mound intact.

It remains unclear when, why, and by whom the earliest dolmens were made. The oldest known dolmens are in Western Europe, where they were set in place around 7000 years ago. Archaeologists still do not know who erected these dolmens, which makes it difficult to know why they did it. They are generally all regarded as tombs or burial chambers, despite the absence of clear evidence for this. Human remains, sometimes accompanied by artifacts, have been found in or close to them, which could be scientifically dated, but it has been impossible to prove that these archaeological remains date from the time when the stones were originally set in place.
Val says These photos of dolmens sent by Evelyn Jackson, reminded me that last week it was reported that the first ever dolmen has been found at Villefranche.
I have given a link to an article about the dolmens of Martiel
http://www.cc-villefranchois.fr/1-37689-Martiel-patrimoine-et-curiosites.php

dolmens near Martiel

dolmens photographed by Evelyn Jackson

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