La Barbière dolmen, Neolithic gallery grave in Crossac, France
La Barbière is a Neolithic gallery grave made up of a massive granite table weighing about 25 tons, supported by three upright stones and covered by additional slabs. The chamber extends roughly 12 meters in length and some of the covering stones rest on the ground around the structure.
This megalithic structure was built during the Neolithic period as a burial chamber following ancient funerary practices and rituals. Its construction method and design reflect techniques used in that distant era, though the exact date of building remains uncertain.
The site is linked to 19th-century local memory through a woman who lived inside the stone chamber and adapted the space between the granite blocks for shelter. This occupation shows how people repurposed the ancient structure during much later times.
The dolmen sits on elevated ground about 15 meters above surrounding areas, located east of Crossac village in the La Ricortais district. It is positioned near the D4 departmental road, making it accessible by car from the village.
A granite cross was fashioned from one of the original stones of the dolmen and stands near the structure. This repurposing shows the enduring connection between the prehistoric monument and local residents over the centuries.
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