Allée couverte du Bois-Couturier, Neolithic burial site in Guiry-en-Vexin, France.
The Allée couverte du Bois-Couturier is an underground burial chamber from the Neolithic period, built from stacked limestone blocks measuring roughly eight meters long and two meters wide. The entrance opens into an antechamber with carved stones before reaching the main burial space where multiple individuals were laid to rest.
Discovery came in 1915 when a farmer uncovered the site, followed by systematic excavation work that revealed extensive remains from the Neolithic period. The investigations showed this was a major collective burial place used over an extended timeframe by prehistoric communities.
The entrance chamber walls display carved female figures with emphasized features and ornaments, reflecting beliefs of ancient Seine valley communities. These representations offer visitors a direct glimpse into the spiritual ideas that surrounded burial practices here.
Access is via a marked trail starting from Rue du Lavoir, and the site's proximity to the local museum makes it easy to visit both on the same outing. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for damp conditions, as you will be entering an underground space that can be cool and moist.
The original capstone, a heavy limestone piece featuring an ingenious wooden locking mechanism, is now housed in the museum and reveals how the ancients sealed this burial chamber. This detail shows the care and precision early builders invested in protecting the final resting place.
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