More finds than expected at Alderney dig
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL dig taking place in Alderney has already found more items than expected – and it is only a third of the way through.
Initial clearance on the Longis Common site began on the day of the King’s Coronation. The following day, Roman pottery was already being found.
‘We were expecting to have to remove a lot of sand before finding things, but the Roman finds have been found in the top soil,’ said States archaeologist Phil de Jersey.
‘These have most likely come in from somewhere else when material has shifted for developments in the early 20th century, which is generally the way with archaeology.’
The dig hopes to reveal more Iron Age and Roman structures and artefacts, which previous digs have suggested may be there.
Dr de Jersey said it was rewarding for the team to have uncovered so many items one week into its three-week dig.
On day three, the team found a large bronze coin – a sestertius of Antoninus Pius, from the second century AD. Other artefacts found include samian, Roman tableware, an amphora handle and a piece of shale bracelet. The excavation follows a successful dig in the Paddock Field a few years ago, where Iron Age pottery and burials were found.
‘What is puzzling is that we haven’t had the structures that we were expecting to go with the finds,’ said Dr de Jersey.
‘We had positioned our trenches based on a geophysical survey that was done, expecting to find walls, but we haven’t got them yet.’
The shale bracelet piece could indicate that an Iron Age cemetery is nearby.
The sand is less acidic than that found in Guernsey and the remains are said to be in good condition.
The exact dates of the finds will be investigated by a specialist.
‘We’ve been very lucky so far with the weather. We haven’t lost any time at all from the weather.
‘There’s been a bit of drizzle, but we’ve also had fog and boiling hot days,’ said Dr de Jersey.
