Blandas
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Blandas | |
|---|---|
 Part of the Rigalderie stone circle in Blandas | |
.svg) Coat of arms | |
Location of Blandas  | |
  Blandas  Blandas | |
| Coordinates: 43°54′49″N 3°30′49″E / 43.9136°N 3.5136°E / 43.9136; 3.5136 | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Occitania |
| Department | Gard |
| Arrondissement | Le Vigan |
| Canton | Le Vigan |
| Intercommunality | Pays Viganais |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Marc Weller[1] |
Area 1 | 37.46 km2 (14.46 sq mi) |
| Population (2022)[2] | 133 |
| • Density | 3.6/km2 (9.2/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 30040 /30770 |
| Elevation | 280–953 m (919–3,127 ft) (avg. 650 m or 2,130 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Blandas is a commune in the Gard department in southern France. It is known for its proximity to the Cirque de Navacelles and the town encompasses one of the principal overlooks on the Cirque. It is also known for its exceptional megalithic sites. It is included in the UNESCO world heritage site "The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape"[3][4]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 141 | — |
| 1975 | 115 | −2.87% |
| 1982 | 116 | +0.12% |
| 1990 | 112 | −0.44% |
| 1999 | 106 | −0.61% |
| 2009 | 128 | +1.90% |
| 2014 | 144 | +2.38% |
| 2020 | 127 | −2.07% |
| Source: INSEE[5] | ||
History
Prehistoric Finds
La grotte des Pins
In May 1967 a team of speleologists attempted to enlarge a natural opening exposed by erosion. Their work exposed a large hidden room 5m high and on the floor of the room they found fragments of ceramics. Further exploration uncovered tools, objects, and much scattered charcoal, up to 60 cm thick in places possibly from prehistoric torches. Theories at the time suggested that the cave served as a cellar or storage, rather than a habitation, since a lack of air circulation made hearth fires difficult.[6]
Baume du Roc du Midi
In 1979 at Baume du Roc du Midi, a cave which opens out from the cliff on the edge of the causse de Blandas at a lookout with a view over the Cirque de Navacelles, archeologists discovered a walled part of the cave, closed since the Middle Ages, but inhabited continuously from prehistory into protohistoric times. Inside the walled portion, many objects including two copper daggers with serrated blades, a bronze axe, a riveted bronze dagger, bronze sconces, spear-tips, and many other Bronze Age objects[7]
La Baumelle
A discovery was made in 2009[8] by speleologists in a prehistoric cave which had been blocked for over 5000 years. On August 10, 2009, speleologists, along with Laurent Bruxelles and Philippe Galant, from Institut national de Recherches archéologiques préventives, began a 10-day exploration of the find. The entrance was blocked by a menhir or stele. This sandstone monolith with engraved surface had been moved from a deposit found at Montdardier 5–6 km from the cave. Prehistoric remains were discovered: skulls, some covered in calcite, pieces of water-collecting vessels, ceramic shards, and a furnished hallway.[9]
Megaliths
see also Mégalithes du causse de Blandas (fr)
See also
References
- ↑ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
- ↑ "Populations de référence 2022" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 19 December 2024.
- ↑ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape". UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
- ↑ "Accueil". Bienvenue à Blandas !.
- ↑ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
- ↑ J.-L. Roudil et P. Vincent (1972). "La grotte des Pins (Blandas, Gard)". Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française (Etudes et Travaux, fascicule 2). Vol. 69. pp. 570–583.
- ↑ Documents préhistoriques de la grotte du Roc du Midi (Blandas, Gard) (article) J.-L. Roudil;P. Vincent; Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française Year 1974 vol71 n7 pp.203-209
- ↑ "Gard. La grotte aux miracles". ladepeche.fr.
- ↑ Galant, Philippe & Villemejeanne, Richard & Etienne, Aurélien & Bruxelles, Laurent & Boschi, Jean-Yves. (2012). 2015 - Découverte de deux stèles en contexte Néolithique final sur le site de la Baumelle à Blandas (Gard).
- ↑ "The Megalithic Portal: Lacam de Peyrarines - Stone Circle in France in Languedoc:Gard (30)". 11 April 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ↑ "Cromlech de Perrarines".
- ↑ "The Megalithic Portal: Lacam de la Rigalderie - Stone Circle in France in Languedoc:Gard (30)". 20 December 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
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