Pierre aux Moines, Neolithic menhir in Clamart, France
Pierre aux Moines is a Neolithic menhir standing in Clamart Forest with a height of approximately 2.20 meters that narrows from its wider base toward its summit. Additional fallen stone blocks lie scattered nearby the upright stone, including a substantial sandstone slab.
The stone was mistakenly confused with another stone called Pierre de Chalais during the 19th century, creating historical confusion that still appears in various documents today. This mix-up complicated the accurate tracking of its origins and significance for many years.
The stone displays a U-shaped engraving on its north-northeast face that may represent a collar symbol tied to funerary beliefs. This carved mark reveals the spiritual weight that Neolithic communities placed on this location.
The megalith sits within Clamart Forest and is easily reached by following woodland paths that lead to the site. It works best to visit during daylight hours since the forest setting helps with navigation when exploring the stone and surrounding fallen blocks.
The slightly flattened top of the menhir results from centuries of use as a knife sharpening stone by local people. This daily practice reveals how communities lived alongside this ancient stone across many generations.
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