Pierre à cupules de La Verpillère, Prehistoric rock with cup marks in La Verpillère, France
Pierre à cupules de La Verpillère is a large boulder with numerous shallow depressions carved into its surface by human hands. The stone now stands in the center of town and serves as the base for the local war memorial.
The stone was excavated from the ground in 1919, at which time archaeologists discovered a burial site from the Copper-Bronze Age transition period beneath it. This finding greatly increased the stone's historical importance and eventually led to its official protection in 1926.
The stone bears marks left by people from prehistoric times, showing how they shaped their surroundings. These traces remain visible today and remind visitors of how long humans have used this location.
The stone sits centrally in La Verpillère and is easy to reach on foot, as it stands prominently in the town center as part of the memorial. Visitors can approach the site at any time without special preparation and examine the carved marks up close.
When excavated in 1919, the stone contained multiple flint tools and jewelry items, revealing that this spot served as a burial place over a long period. These artifacts suggest an organized community life in the area that was far older than initially expected.
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