Wéris megaliths

Wéris megaliths
Mégalithes du domaine de Wéris
Side view of Wéris I dolmen
Wéris I dolmen
Shown within Belgium
Location Wéris
Region Belgium
Coordinates 50°19′34″N 5°31′52″E / 50.326°N 5.531°E / 50.326; 5.531
Type Dolmens / menhirs
History
Periods Neolithic

The Wéris megaliths are a group of megalithic monuments found near the village of Wéris, in the province of Luxembourg, in Belgium.

Description

The megalithic remains at Wéris are scattered over region more than 5 miles (8 km) long, and form a group which is unique in Belgium.[1] There are many standing stones (menhirs), including one beside the road just southwest of Wéris.[2] Of the many chamber tombs (dolmens) which once existed in the area, two now survive in good condition. These remains generally date to around 3000 BC,[1] a time period which corresponds to that of the Seine-Oise-Marne culture.[3]

The dolmens are made from slabs of conglomerate stone.[4] A notable feature of the two dolmens is that the funerary chamber and the ante-chamber are separated by a stone slab pierced with a circular opening.[4]

  • Wéris I (French: Dolmen de Wéris) is situated beside the road just northwest of the village of Wéris.[2] It is the larger of the two dolmens and has a single massive roof slab.[2] This tomb had been robbed prior to excavation, so nothing is known about its contents.[4]
  • Wéris II (French: Dolmen d'Oppagne) is to the southwest of Wéris and has a roof composed of three massive horizontal slabs.[4] Excavations of the grave-chamber found the bones from several people, together with flint tools and a few sherds of coarse pottery.[4] Charcoal from a hearth and several animal bones suggested a ritual funeral meal.[4]

A museum (La Maison des Mégalithes de Wéris) for the monuments can be found in the centre of the village of Wéris.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Wingfield, George (2009). Belgium. Infobase. p. 28. ISBN 1438104863.
  2. 1 2 3 Tomes, John (1989). Belgium and Luxembourg. A & C Black. p. 373.
  3. ↑ Service, Alastair; Bradbery, Jean (1979). Megaliths and their mysteries: a guide to the standing stones of Europe. Macmillan.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 De Laet, S. J. (1958). The Low Countries. Frederick A. Praeger. pp. 107–8.
  5. ↑ "La Maison des Mégalithes de Wéris". Retrieved 13 March 2017.
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