Dolmens of Jersey (article) by Annie Le Voguer on AuthorsDen

Information on the historical sites of Jersey Stonehenge, swathed in mystical and ancient qualities, protected from being touched and eroded, is a focal point for anyone wanting to celebrate old religious festivals such as the equinoxes. But there is an area in the UK that is teeming with relics even older and unexplained that are still accessible. The Channel Island of Jersey�s mystical history can be taken back almost 10,000 years, when settlers arrived from Europe as the island was still connected to France. Whilst little of their habitation has been found, the dolmens and menhirs have provided archaeologists and historians plenty to scratch their heads over. It has also given pagans and Celts prime sacred ceremonial sites. Jersey is home to 15 dolmens and 10 menhirs that remain visible, built between 4,000 and 6,000 years ago in the Neolithic and Chalcolithic ages. A dolmen is seen as a passage grave, built using large pieces of granite either side of a pathway leading up to a chamber with a capstone covering. Like Stonhenge, these stones are immense and would have to have been dragged for some distance. The dolmen at Faldouet in St Martin has a capstone that is 24 tonnes, sat precariously upon the standing stones. Menhirs are large pieces of granite placed in a specific location, often looking out to see from a high vantage point as if some solitary sign. However, many of the dolmens in Jersey were found to contain no human bones, suggesting that burial was not their sole reason for being. Mark Patton, Curator of Archaeology at Jersey Museum until 1993 and author or several books on European prehistory, suggests they could have been religious centres as a focus for a settlement or clan, much as a Parish church brings people together today. Gatherings around a dolmen would have allowed people to express grief, love and remembrance of their dead, an important role in Neolithic culture. It is possible that the settlers to Jersey were �beaker people� or even part of the �beaker culture�, so named for the distinctive bell shaped pottery style that was often placed in burial, perhaps to hold a drink for the dead on their final journey. The beaker people origin is thought to be the Iberian Peninsula and it is theorised that the style of pottery became a trend in much the same way as fashion is today. This was brought to the fore with the find of the �Amesbury Archer� in Wiltshire, an individual who was discovered to have started life in central Europe and died in the UK a high status man buried with copper tools and gold jewellery as well as the beaker. Of the dolmens, La Hougue Bie is the largest burial mound and a major attraction. It�s open from mid March to start of November with access to the tomb, widely renowned to provide spiritual peace. La Hougue Bie is, in fact, older than the Pyramids of Egypt and has seen several attempts to cover its existence. One of the finest examples of ancient settlement in Europe, in the 6th century attempts were made to Christianise it and in medieval times a chapel was built on top of the hill-sized mound. So renowned in Victorian times, a hotel was even constructed next to it to accommodate the inquisitive. Excavation under the mound only took place as recently as 1924, when a narrow passage was discovered encompassing two side chambers and a raised platform that led to a small chamber to the west, the most sacred point. Recent observations from inside the tomb has revealed that at sunrise on both spring and autumn equinoxes the orientation of the passageway allows the sun�s rays to shine through into this chamber much the same way as the pyramid shaft from the Pharaoh�s inner sanctum pointed to a certain point in the sky. Despite their relative primitive culture, these ancestors had astrological knowledge that is often beyond comprehension. A museum adjacent to La Hougue Bie is packed with information and artefacts with interactive games for children to enjoy. Entrance is �6.50 for adults, �4 children or family ticket for �20. You can also visit dolmens around the island for free and absorb the qualities of these ancient artefacts at your leisure and in relative peace. Le Couperon in St Martin sits above Le Saie bay in a farmer�s field, access up a path to the side. A long chamber with 18 outer stones built in the Chalcolithic period of 3250-2250 BC, first excavated in 1868. Only flint and pottery was found. St Andrew�s Park at First Tower, St Helier, has two examples, one each from Neolithic and Chalcolithic. Again, no human remains. Les Monts Grantez is a fine Neolithic example, encircled by a stone wall in the middle of a field of sheep close to the cliffs of St Ouen. Access is given by the farmer, if you respect his livestock. A passage chamber with large capstone was found to host remains of 7 adults and 1 child, 7 lying on their sides in a crouched position within the chamber, the 8th in a seated position in the passage as if guarding the others. So, if you want to be steeped in ancient and mystical ambience and want to beat the crowds at Stonehenge, the Jersey dolmens and menhirs are an attractive alternative.

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