World's oldest tomb: The Tumulus of...

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What is the world's oldest known tomb complex?

This is the world's oldest known tomb complex [documented in Europe] (© TheTravel)

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The Tumulus of Bougon is the oldest known tomb complex in the world [nowhere near the actual oldest, as there are tumuli in Central Asia that are 20,000 years old and possibly older ones in Ukraine and North Asia], dating back to 4700 BC, located in the Deux-Sèvres region of France.

• In Buddhism, these burial mound structures are called stupas (kurgans, barrows, tels, reliquary tomb-mounds, also found around Stonehenge and in many parts of the world. The Buddha was following an ancient tradition when he established the practice of building these edifices to honor awakened beings and world monarchs)

The Bougon Tomb Museum offers visitors a chance to explore the Neolithic era and learn about prehistoric funerary buildings through reconstructed homes and a discovery path.

Those visiting the museum can participate in various activities, such as experimenting with historical artisan skills, throwing a Neolithic tea party, and solving riddles on a treasure quest.

People have constructed tombs of many designs, forms, and materials throughout history, representing a variety of civilizations and beliefs. They buried the dead in their homes with personal belongings in prehistoric times.

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Later, this tradition continued to give rise to the idea of a tomb. Individuals started constructing graves outside their houses, filling them with everything they believed the departed would want or need for the afterlife.

One of the earliest known instances of megalithic building on the French Atlantic coast is the Tumulus  [burial mound] of Bougon, often called the Necropolis of Bougon.

Archeologists rediscovered the tumulus cemetery in the 19th century, and over time, they excavated it. France is a country of contrasts where culture is very important.

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Tumulus Bougon is the oldest known tomb complex in the world

Since 1873, the Bougon Tomb complex, found by archeologists in 1840, has been a part of the French Deux-Sèvres region.

Located in a contemporary structure close to the ruins of a 6,000-year-old structure, the Bougon Tomb Museum transports its visitors back in time to the Neolithic era, when humans first settled and began building tombs.

Tourists may uncover prehistoric funerary buildings by visiting this French cultural site and learning about Neolithic culture and way of life. They may also view a unique legacy full of reconstructed Neolithic homes on the discovery path.

The circular or elongated monumental tombs at Bougoni's necropolis, which dates to 4700 BC, are constructed of six stones and soil. One of the first instances of funerary buildings in the world was constructed by Neolithic villagers. More

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