Les Fouaillages
Les Fouaillages on the Channel Island of Guernsey is next to " Le Pinnacle " on Jersey the oldest megalithic complex in the archipelago . It is located on a dune that belongs to a golf course on the Le Clos du Valle peninsula north of Saint Peter Port .
Research history
Discovered in 1977 and excavated from 1979 by Ian Kinnes (1944–2012), published in 1983 and unlike many others on the Channel Islands, it was untouched and therefore rich in finds, some of which are exhibited in the Museum of Saint Peter Port .
chronology
Their dating to 4500 BC. BC makes it one of the oldest megalithic systems in Europe. The islands, about the time of the establishment of the dolmens were separated from the continent by the rise in sea level, form from that date, most comparable to Malta , a microcosm of European history with the corresponding special forms, such as are located. As those covered stone circles placed stone boxes show. Otherwise they only occur in Li Muri in Sardinia and in Bronze Age Scandinavia. The number of prehistoric sites, which on the basis of early records and investigated place names (von de Guerin) can be estimated at 70 (i.e. 1 / km²), is very high, but not unusual for islands. Of these, only 12 (or 17%) are left here, and Les Fouaillages was not mentioned in the original list.
description
The architecture of Les Fouaillages is unique. This begins with the triangular edging, which remains unique in the region, under which Mesolithic microliths were found. The corners of the approximately 10 m wide facade, in front of which there was a circular stone pavement, are strongly rounded, while the rear (eastern) end seems to have been pointed. The sides are about 20 m long. The internal structure begins with a box about 4 m³ in size, which is provided with a capstone. Then follows a careless, difficult to interpret structure (with two post holes) that merges into a kind of chamber, the large keystones of which belong to an arch segment that runs in the direction of the enclosure. The soil prevented the preservation of organic matter, making it impossible to find any bones.
sightseeing
The oldest structure of the monument was preserved for demonstration.
Nearby are the La Varde dolmen, the largest dolmen on the island, Le Dehus and the statue menhir of Castel Church .
See also
literature
- Ian Kinnes, Les Fouaillages and the megalithic monuments of Guernsey . Aldernay: Ampersand Press in association with the States of Guernsey Ancient Monuments Committee 1983.
Web links
Coordinates: 49 ° 29 '50.9 " N , 2 ° 32' 15.9" W.