Pits dug on common in bid to unearth Neolithic settlement

A team from France were joined by local archaeologists this week to dig four trial holes near Les Fouaillages – an 8,000-year-old Neolithic burial mound to the north of Vale Church.

The mound was only dug for the first time in the 1970s, and pottery was found, which indicated there might be a settlement nearby.

However, while L’Ancresse is archaeologically dense, it is also difficult to dig, as the sand can stretch up to four metres deep.

States archaeologist Dr Phil de Jersey was joined by Dr Helene Pioffet-Barracand, as well as three specialists from French archaeological company Eveha, which is sponsoring the dig, which started on Monday.

‘We know L’Ancresse is really rich in Neolithic remains, but it is a case of finding them,’ Dr de Jersey said.

‘This will see how much effort it takes to get through the sand and perhaps coming back in the future.’

Dr Pioffet-Barracand said that Ian Kinnes, who originally dug the site, had hypothesised that there was once a settlement close to the monument and that inspired her to try and find if this was right.

They dug four test pits using shovels, but had to abandon one as it quickly became clear the sand went too deep. However, the sand can be helpful as it protects the Neolithic layers, if they can be reached.

‘People never really built here and there has never been agricultural [activity], it is protected,’ Dr de Jersey said.

Dr Pioffet-Barracand has previously studied pottery from Les Fouaillages for her master’s degree and it made her interested to find out more about the area around the monument.

So far the team have found pottery and flint, which is believed to be from the Neolithic era, as well as more recent finds, like Roman plough marks, which would ‘only’ be 2,000 years old.

One of the holes, near a pond, is quite damp, allowing the team to get organic samples, which can be radiocarbon dated.

Digging four test pits only gives a tiny look into the past, but it is the best option.

‘It’s a bit of a gamble to open up trenches like this,’ said Dr Pioffet-Barracand.

Geophysical surveys are used by archaeologists to see what is beneath the surface, but they cannot be used on L’Ancresse, as the technology would be unable to get through gorse bushes, and even long grass would impact it.

It means there are likely many more finds to make, with Dr de Jersey noting the sand was so deep it was possible there were entire dolmens hidden below the surface.

Les Fouaillages was only dug for the first time the 1970s, and the man who discovered it – John Lihou – has been helping out on this week’s dig.

The dig is finishing today and the finds will be taken to France to be examined before being returned to Guernsey.

Dr Pioffet-Barracand said they were starting an archaeological programme which included Brittany and the Channel Islands, as historically the areas were closely linked.

She was hopeful they would return next year, depending on funding.