Hypogées de Fontvieille, Neolithic underground burial chambers in Fontvieille, France
The Fontvieille hypogea are four underground burial chambers carved into limestone and covered by massive stone slabs. The largest of these slabs stretch up to 25 meters in length and seal the underground spaces above.
These underground structures were built during the Neolithic period as shared burial spaces for entire communities. Archaeologists discovered the remains of more than one hundred individuals from this distant time within them.
These underground chambers reflect a distinct building style from Neolithic times that was common in Provence. Visitors can see how these communities worked with stone and buried their dead together in shared spaces.
Visitors can currently enter only the Castellet hypogeum, as the other three chambers sit on private property. It is wise to check ahead about opening times and access, since visits to this site may be limited.
One chamber is linked in local folklore to the Sword of Roland and features a colossal broken stone slab standing about 7 meters high. This legendary association has been passed down through generations and gives this site a special place in the region's imagination.
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