Heated stone hearths are known at various contemporary sites, and comparable structures have already been identified at Montélimar. Excavated over recent years, there is a high density of Middle Neolithic remains (habitats, cemeteries, etc.). The right bank of the Rhone at Montélimar, was home to a considerable population concentration during this, the Chasséen period, (4,000 B.C.).

The vast surfaces opened up during this excavation confirm, in a spectacular manner, the data collected during the archaeological evaluation realized in 2005. At least sixty hearths, aligned and organized in groups, were discovered. The groups succeed one another in a line along an axis at least 100 metres long.
Study and experimental analysis of these structures seem to indicate the practice of cooking on a surface of heated stones, like on a grill.

The originality of this new site lies in the high number of archaeological structures and their organisation, as well as the near absence of associated discoveries whether finds (pottery, flint, bones, etc.) or other types of structure.

These structures seem to have been related to exceptional communal activities (social, political or religious) carried out in a ceremonial context distant from  living areas.
What was their function? How did they work? Were they used only once, or several times? Were all the hearths used simultaneously? What is the relationship between this site and  habitats located to the south of Montélimar? Archaeologists continue to search for elements that will contribute to our understanding of the social life of the Neolithic human groups that practised agriculture and animal breeding – a true revolution that would totally modify prehistoric societies more than 6,000 years ago.