The term 'hypogeum' refers to collective underground burials built around 3300-3000 BC.
The term hypogea means collective underground tombs built around 3300-3000 BC.
Those found in the Fontvieille area are of interest due to their hybrid nature; they are in fact half-buried, but also have a roof of stone slabs like standing stones. The walls and floors of the cavities, which are very long and trapezoidal in shape, are made of quartzite pebbles from La Crau.
The different objects found in the tombs (jewels, weapons and tools) testify to their use over a fairly long period. They were built circa 3000 BC and were only abandoned a thousand years later.
The architecture of these hypogea is typical of the local area; it originated there and then spread to the Var, Vaucluse and Lange d'Oc regions.
Four hypogea have been listed in the Fontvieille area:
La Source grotto-standing stone (Le Castelet, Montagne des Cordes)
Fées de Cordes or Sword of Roland grotto-standing stone (Cordes)
Le Castellet or Le Fabre grotto-standing stone (Le Castelet)
Le Bounias grotto-standing stone
Unfortunately, they are all on private property and are closed to the public, with the exception of Le Castelet.
