Wéris megaliths

About

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

The megalithic remains at Wéris are scattered over a region more than 5 miles (8 km) long and form a group which is unique in Belgium. There are many standing stones ( menhirs ), including one beside the road just southwest of Wéris. 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, a time period which corresponds to that of the Seine-Oise-Marne culture.

The dolmens are made from slabs of conglomerate stone. 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.

- Wéris I ( French : Dolmen de Wéris ) is situated beside the road just northwest of the village of Wéris. It is the larger of the two dolmens and has a single massive roof slab. This tomb had been robbed prior to excavation, so nothing is known about its contents.

- Wéris II ( French : Dolmen d'Oppagne ) is to the southwest of Wéris and has a roof composed of three massive horizontal slabs. Excavations of the grave-chamber found the bones from several people, together with flint tools and a few sherds of coarse pottery. Charcoal from a hearth and several animal bones suggested a ritual funeral meal. A museum (La Maison des Mégalithes de Wéris) for the monuments can be found in the centre of the village of Wéris.