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The statue-menhirs of Rouergue. France

Submitted by ocdolmen on Thursday, 27 April 2006  Page Views: 4274

Neolithic and Bronze Age

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Country: France
Mas Capelier 1 menhir-statue
Mas Capelier 1 menhir-statue submitted by ocdolmen : Mas Capelier menhir-statue, Aveyron, France (0.75 m high, white sandstone). In the joining areas of the départements of Aveyron, the Tarn and Herault, the area of Rouergue offers a total of around fifty of these inscribed sandstone menhirs, stylistically similar, to which the work here belongs. It was fortuitously discovered in 1886, at the same time as another inscribed menhir now disappe... (Vote or comment on this photo)
In the adjoining areas of the départements of Aveyron, the Tarn and Herault, the area of Rouergue offers a total of around fifty of these inscribed sandstone menhirs, stylistically similar, to which that shown here belongs.

The monolith formerly stood out of the ground as a menhir. It represents a woman on foot whose silhouette marries to the contours of the block. Its back and its sides are also carved.

Like the majority of the menhirs-statues of the Rouergue group, it was found in a place where any vestige of habitat or burial is missing and where, during the Neolithic era, a thick forest of oaks dominated. Man had not yet undertaken the deforestation of this part of the land, preferring the limestone grounds of Causses and their margins, which were easier to cultivate.

These stone divinities were thus put up deep in the dark woods, far from any village. Perhaps they ensured the protection of the hunters venturing into these hostile places to track the stag and wild boar there.
Contributor Bio for ocdolmen: Based in in the south of France, contributing since 2006. Favourite site: Prunarède dolmen 1.

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"The statue-menhirs of Rouergue." | Login/Create an Account | 3 News and Comments
  
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Re: The statue-menhirs of Rouergue. by ocdolmen on Thursday, 27 April 2006
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You are right Captain. In Tarn département, almost all menhirs-statues are still standing in the nature. In Aveyron département, it's the contrary and a big part of these statues are in Musée Fenaille (Rodez city). Some are in others museums in France (Béziers, Toulouse, Paris) or in private collections.
This statue (photo) is presented at Musée des Antiquités Nationales at St Germain en Laye (near Paris). It's a very interesting museum which shows important prehistoric collections.
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Re: The statue-menhirs of Rouergue. by binardino on Thursday, 27 April 2006
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we can see some south of france menhirs in st germain en laye museum too
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Re: The statue-menhirs of Rouergue. by TheCaptain on Thursday, 27 April 2006
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Nice little article ocdolmen. I just love these statue menhirs, and must make more visits to the area in order to see more of them.

I had never thought about them being originally set up in the forests, but now you say that it is clear. Most of those I have seen are on wooded hillsides in the valleys, and not in the sort of positions that I would expect a normal menhir to be. A nice insight into these terriffic monuments.
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