Saint Martin de Corléans

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Area megalitica of Saint-Martin-de-Corléans

Saint Martin de Corléans near Aosta in the Aosta Valley has one of the largest accumulations of megalithic structures in Italy on an area of ​​over one hectare . They were discovered in 1969. During the excavation, 22 layers were removed up to six meters below the current valley floor. The dolmen with stone platforms, menhirs and Statue menhir of Saint Martin de Corléans lie near two mountain passes and several metal deposits and date from the 3rd millennium BC. Chr.

First phase

The construction of the facilities began between 3000 and 2750 BC. With the setting of a row of 22 wooden stakes. Before that, the ashes of burned rams' skulls were scattered on the bottom of the pit. The rows of posts are aligned with a local rock.

Second phase

The second phase (2750–2400 BC) began with an extensive plowing ritual, the furrows of which run parallel to the rows of posts. Large numbers of human teeth were found in the plowed area, apparently treated like seeds. 40 statue menhirs were erected in the same period. Some were aligned with the rows of posts, others were at right angles to the alignment. In addition, menhirs, stone platforms and at least seven ritual pits were added during this phase.

Third phase

Dolmen M XII by Petit-Chasseur

During the third phase, between 2400 and 2100 BC. A dolmen (Tomba II) of 2.5 mx 2.2 m with a side entrance and a 15 m long triangular stone pedestal , similar to the dolmen M XII from Petit-Chasseur in Switzerland , was built. The pedestal overlays an older stone box (Tomba III) at one corner . An Allée couverte (Tomba V) and a dolmen with a round border (Tomba IV) followed. The monuments were all erected without a covering hill.

Fourth phase

Several smaller graves were erected during the fourth construction phase (2100–1900 BC).

The site was subsequently abandoned for about 700 years, but between 1200 and 800 BC. Chr. Were subsequent uses made.

Nearby is the "Cromlech del Piccolo San Bernardo".

literature

  • Guido Cossard, Franco Mezzena, Giuliano Romano: Il significato astronomico del sito megalitico di Saint-Martin-de-Corléans ad Aosta, Tecnimage, Aosta, 1991

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Recalls Apollonios 1st book, chap. IX (23.2 sowing the dragon's teeth) divisions

Web links

Coordinates: 45 ° 44 ′ 7.5 ″  N , 7 ° 17 ′ 51.2 ″  E