Chance

The Grotte de Spy (Cave of Spy) is one of the most important paleolithic sites in Europe, and has undergone many excavations with many recoveries. In 1886 a discovery was made that still represents a capital episode in the history of science. The excavation was conducted by inhabitants of Liège, and consisted of an archaeologist (Marcel de Puydt), a geologist (Max Lohest) and a paleontologist (Julien Fraipont). This team proved to the international community the existence of a more antiquated type of human, the Neanderthal. Julien Fraipont published a major review about Spy in an American review.

The prehistoric cave may be freely visited all around the year. However, between mid September and February there is hunting season, and visitors are advised to be careful.

The cave may be visited on guided tours organized by the Amis de l’Homme de Spy (Friends of the Spy Man), a non profit organization. The guided tours have a fixed price for the guide and are suitable for up to 30 persons. See web site for more details.

The area around the town of Wéris (community Durbuy, Luxembourg province) has yielded the richest set of megalithic monuments in Belgium.

The current research of the Walloon Megalithic Studies Association (awem) has mapped this megalithic area of about 8 km long and 300 m wide.

It consists of two standing stones associated with covered walkways and six sites comprising only menhirs.

See the web site for the Walloon Megalithic Studies Association (awem) for more details or check out the towns megalithic museum web site.

The Spiennes neolithic flint mines, in the municipality of Mons, province of Hainaut, are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are described as “the largest and earliest concentration of ancient mines in Europe” and UNESCO cites the level of human technological development they demonstrate as justification for their inclusion.

The mines cover some 100 hectares of downland near Mons and are interesting for showing the transition between opencast and underground mining for the flint nodules. The nodules were extracted using deer antler picks. The stones were then knapped into rough-out shapes of axes, and finally polished to achieve the final state.

The rough-outs were traded over a wide area, and were often polished at their destination. Polishing strengthens the final product, making the axe-head last longer. The axes were used initially for forest clearance during the early Neolithic period, and for shaping wood for structural applications, such as timber for huts and canoes.

This is claimed to be the largest Angevin type dolmen in France, and maybe the world. The statistics are impressive, 17.3 meters long by 5.4 meters wide and 3.1 meters high. There is also an antechamber which adds another 4 meters to the overall length. The chamber is covered with four huge capstones, the largest of which is 7.6 meters long and weighs 86 tons. An interior stone is not a supporting pillar but probably the remains of an internal partition, which is usually found in these Angevin type dolmens.

When the site was excavated in the 1775, no burials were found, although other large Angevin dolmens had produced evidence of burials. This has led to suggestions that it was not a burial monument. We can never be sure. The site had been put to various uses before any excavations, most notably a barn for many years.

The dolman is located in the town of Bagneux, a suburb of Saumur and is part of a thriving restaurant brassiere with a small museum dedicated to the monument. Items on display include three-polished stone axes and a piece of flint knife, all claimed to be from the site.

There is an entrance fee of €3.5. Open from 1st April to 30th September, 9am till 7pm (Closed Wednesdays except July and August) – See the owner’s web site for full details.

Although known as the “little” or small dolmen, this megalith is upstaged by the largest dolman in France, it’s nearby neighbour, Le Grand Dolmen de Bagneux.

The dolman is reported to be in fairly good condition, situated high up on a cliff edge. Unfortunately the area is said to be surrounded by a working quarry and is closed to the public.

A passage tomb known by several different names, close to Lumé, in the commune of Fargues-sur-Ourbise.

The chamber would originally have been between sixteen to eighteen meters in length, but is now reduced to only five and a half meters. There are currently half a dozen covering titles.

A buried stone that was excavated and re-erected during 2007, in Haillot, in the province of Namur.

See the enclosed web site for details.

Three dolmens is situated by the edge of ocean, on the North coast of the Ile d’Yeu.

The monument is said to be one of the best preserved and the most accessible on the island.

Île d’Yeu is an island and commune just off the Vendée coast of western France.

The island’s two harbours, Port-Joinville in the north and Port de la Meule, located in a rocky inlet of the southern granite coast, are famous for the fishing of tuna and lobster.

Neolithic markings in the native stone and an unusual concentration of megalithic dolmens and menhirs attest to the island’s early sanctity.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Île_d’Yeu

One of the many megalithic monuments to be found on the island of Île d’Yeu.

A stone circle, said to look like a round loaf of bread, on the southern coast of the island.

An elegant menhir standing 3.55 meters tall in a large flat pasture beside the river Risle.

A large menhir recorded as over 3 meters high.
The stone’s multiple shapes and crevices are said to contain faces.

The stone is located beside an ancient pond.

Two polishing stones which have sat by the river for millennia.

The first is a half buried stone about two meters long by a meter wide.
This has two large bowl areas and three groves, similar to the polisher on Fyfield Down.

The second stone, on the other side of the stream, is now on private land and cannot be visited.

Rocky outcrop overlooking the precipitous Laizon gorges: one of the region’s most striking natural sites.

The area is a rich source of good quality flint and has been inhabited since Paleolithic times.

There are two recorded axe grinding stones, the Poussendre polishers located in the gorges.

Since 1798, the site has become known as Mont Joly after Marie Joly, a famous 18th century actress was buried on the extremity of the embankment,

A promontory site surrounded on three sides by the steep River Laizon gorge.

The eastern end was defended by ramparts, little of which is now visible.

This standing stone is a pagan relic and stands outside the main North West entrance of the St Julien Cathedral, in the Place St. Michel.

The stone is the only known surviver following the destruction of the Dolmen de la Pierre-au-lait, in 1778.

There are said to be traces of a cross carved on the top of the stone.

The pink sandstone stands over four and a half meters tall and shows a remarkable natural drape, which has be seen as evoking the feminine side of some standing stones. Others have seen a hooded giant stood outside the cathedral doorway.

This stone circle has manage to survive much of the world history it has witnessed very well.

What we have left are the remains of a 72 meter diameter stone circle, much abused but with forty six stones still standing.

Like Avebury, it has a road going right through the middle of it, but unlike Avebury, it has become the border between France and Italy.

The French side of the circle is called Col du Petit Saint-Bernard Cromlech or Circle of Hannibal.

The circle stands high up At the top of the Little St. Bernard Pass.

This stone circle has manage to survive much of the world history it has witnessed very well.

What we have left are the remains of a 72 meter diameter stone circle, much abused but with forty six stones still standing.

Like Avebury, it has a road going right through the middle of it, but unlike Avebury, it has become the border between France and Italy.

The Italian side of the circle is called Henge del Piccolo San Bernardo.

The circle stands high up At the top of the Little St. Bernard Pass.