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Dolmen de la Folatière: A Window into Neolithic Luxé

Explore the ancient Dolmen de la Folatière in Luxé, a window into Neolithic funerary practices and the region's distant past.

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The Dolmen de la Folatière, located in Luxé, Charente, France, is a Neolithic megalithic tomb dating back thousands of years. Though its covering table is now gone, the remaining stones offer a glimpse into the region's ancient past and the funerary practices of its early inhabitants.

A brief summary to Dolmen de la Folatière

  • D186, Luxé, 16230, FR

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes as the area around the dolmen may involve walking on uneven ground.
  • Bring a camera to capture the unique atmosphere and historical significance of this ancient site.
  • Combine your visit with a walk around the surrounding area to appreciate the Charente countryside.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Luxé, the Dolmen de la Folatière is a short drive. From the center of Luxé, head north on D186. The dolmen is located directly on D186. Limited parking is available near the site.

  • Public Transport

    The nearest train station is in Luxé. From the Luxé train station, the dolmen is approximately a 15-20 minute walk. Exit the station and head north on D186. The dolmen is located directly on D186. Train tickets from Luxé to Angoulême cost €4-€11. Bus services are also available. Check local schedules for the most up-to-date information.

  • Walking

    From the center of Luxé, the Dolmen de la Folatière is accessible by foot. Head north on D186. The dolmen is located directly on D186. The walk is approximately 1.5 kilometers and should take around 20 minutes.

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Discover more about Dolmen de la Folatière

The Dolmen de la Folatière, a classified historical monument since 1957, is located in the commune of Luxé, in the Charente department of France. This ancient dolmen, or megalithic tomb, provides a tangible link to the Neolithic period and the people who inhabited this region millennia ago. Originally, the dolmen consisted of a large capstone resting on supporting stones, forming a chamber used for burials. Unfortunately, the covering table is now missing. According to Lièvre, the capstone measured 3.60 m long, 1.60 m wide and 0.90 m thick and covered twelve orthostates. These stones were carefully leveled and flattened by picketing. The architecture of the monument is imprecise although it is generally classified as an Angoumoisin type dolmen. Excavations at the site, notably by Étienne Patte in 1958 and again in 2012, have revealed fragmented human remains, suggesting multiple interments. The broken bones lacked anatomical connection, but two male cranial boxes were reconstructed. The teeth found suggest that between four and eleven children could have been buried there. Additionally, archaeologists have unearthed various artifacts, including a lozenge-shaped arrowhead attributed to the Late Neolithic period, a type rare in the region, six transverse arrowheads, a beautiful scraper, and two small flakes of a polished white flint ax. Two fragmented base cups were also discovered. One is decorated with a checkerboard pattern, the other with triangles. Patte attributes these to the Chasséen culture, while Joussaume believes the base cups and transverse arrowheads are characteristic of the Middle Neolithic. Numerous round beads, mainly limestone, one callais and small bone tools (chisels) were also found. The Folatière dolmen and tumulus, about one hundred meters southwest, were both built on a small hill overlooking a loop of the Charente.

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