Jersey Archaeology Festival

Société Jersiaise

Programme

7 to 22 July 2018

All events are free. No booking required. Enquiries: Société Jersiaise Office, tel. 758314 or John de Carteret of the Archaeology Section, tel. 07797 715979. E-mail:info@societe-jersiaise.org Website: www.societe-jersiaise.org

None of the walks undertaken this year are on difficult ground, and participants are responsible for their own safety. Please wear suitable footwear.

Saturday 7

Visit a dig at Samarès Manor

Robert Waterhouse, Société Field Archaeologist, with the encouragement of the Seigneur, Vincent Obbard, is undertaking a dig on the south side of the manor to investigate previously mentioned remains of buildings. Robert will show a group around the site.

Time: 3.00pm Price: FreeMeet: By the shop in the car park – you will be taken through as a groupParking: Free Guide: Robert Waterhouse, Field ArchaeologistGrade: Easy, on slightly uneven ground

Sunday 8 University of York and Jersey Heritage guided tour of Elizabeth Castle hospital block excavations (c.1810)

These excavations also include the site of the old long barracks on The Green, Outer Ward. The staff and students are carrying out a geophysical survey and doing a small excavation at the old barracks site, along with a buildings recording of the hospital interior.

The ferry and entrance to the tour is free to everyone as part of the Jersey Archaeology Festival, but please note that normal entrance fees will apply if you wish to visit the rest of the castle and you are not a member of the Société Jersiaise or

Jersey Heritage. https://www.jerseyheritage.org/places-to-visit/elizabeth-castle

Time: 10.00 – 11.30 Price: Free entrance and ferry provided by Jersey HeritageMeet: West Park slip to catch the ferry as a group. Return via ferry.Parking: Free at car parks in townGuide: Dav Smith, Associate Lecturer in ArchaeologyGrade: Wear good walking shoes

Sunday 8 Mont Ubé dolmen and a military tour of the east

Sinclair Forest, local archaeologist, will lead you around Mont Ubé dolmen and other prehistoric elements in the area. Following this, Jonathan Bull, local historian will explain why the East of the Island became so important in the German defences.

The Eastern High Ground DefencesJonathan Bull then takes us on a circular walk which takes in the German defences along the route, utilising the beautiful and quiet St Clements nature trail. The views are breath-taking. Many of the defences have long since been removed, some traces still remain and Johnathan will explain and interpret them. We will take in Battery sites, Resistance Nests and some smaller positions, there will also be other eras of history along the way.3.5 miles (6k) easy going and 90% off-road - approx 2 hours depending on conditions.

Please wear appropriate footwear as if it is wet or has been wet there may be mud and slippery paths.

Guide - Johnathan Bull

Time: 2.00pm Price: Free Meet: At Nicolle TowerParking: Free at Nicolle TowerGuide: Sinclair Forest, Archaeologist, and Jonathan Bull, Historian

Grade: Easy, but long, on slightly uneven ground

Tuesday 10

The battle for St Helier’s Arsenal Local historian Ian Ronayne tells the story of a building used until recently as police headquarters, but which formerly was a centre of military activity in St Helier. The ‘new’ Town Arsenal, constructed in 1917, was the last of its kind built in the island. Yet its passage from planning to construction proved one of the most controversial.

Time: 7pm Price: Free Meet: Société Jersiaise 7 Pier Road, St HelierParking: Free at Pier Road car park

Guide: Ian Ronayne, Local HistorianGrade: Easy

Thursday 12

Walk and talk around the medieval Le Ponterrin area

This walk will take you through the back lanes from La Hougue Bie to the Le Ponterrin area. There is a rich history amongst the lanes which will unfold as we progress.

Time: 5.30pm Price: FreeMeet: La Hougue BieParking: Free at La Hougue BieGuide: Robert Waterhouse, Field Archaeologist, Neil Molyneux, HistorianGrade: Easy

Saturday 14

St Saviour’s church graveyard

The graveyard contains a wealth of historical characters with interesting histories, which the Reverend Dyson is happy to fill us in on. Robert Waterhouse, Field Archaeologist for the Société Jersiaise, has recently excavated a pipe trench in the cemetery, and will report on his finds.

Time: 2pmPrice: FreeMeet: St Saviour’s church

Parking: Free at St Saviour’s church and by the Parish Hall across the roadGuide: Reverend Peter Dyson and Robert Waterhouse, Field ArchaeologistGrade: Easy

Sunday 15

The Jersey Codfather – Charles Robin

Alan Le Rossignol, author of The Jersey Codfather, will walk you around St Aubin, showing where Charles Robin had his home and shop. Alan can tell you all about the cod fishing industry in the Gaspe during the 18th and 19th Centuries, take you about where Charles lived and worked, and describe the cod industry at the time. Don’t be surprised if he shows up with a large piece of dried salted cod!

Time: 2pm Price: Free Meet: The slipway by the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club, St AubinParking: Free at St Aubin on Sunday. An option is to take the No.15 bus from townGuide: Alan Le Rossignol, local historianGrade: Easy, wear walking shoes

Tuesday 17

The prehistoric headland of Les Landes

Robert Waterhouse, the Société Jersiaise Field Archaeologist, and Rosalind Le Quesne, the Société Jersiaise Osteologist, will walk you around the Les Landes peninsular, outlining the headland’s use over the centuries.

Time: 6pm Price: Free

Meet: Grosnez car parkParking: Free at Grosnez car parkGuide: Robert Waterhouse and Rosalind Le QuesneGrade: Easy, wear walking shoes

Thursday 19

La Cotte de St Brelade and exploring the Neanderthal landscapes of the English Channel

Dr Matt Pope, from University College London, is again in the island to explore our prehistoric past. Matt and the team will bring you up to date on their finds.

Time: 7pm Price: Free Meet: Société Jersiaise 7 Pier Road, St HelierParking: Free at Pier Road car parkGuide: Dr Matt PopeGrade: Easy

Friday 20 Open evening at La Hougue Bie

Jersey Heritage have very kindly opened up this ancient site to offer a free evening for all. Enter into one of Europe’s finest passage graves, and visit the Long House. Discover Jersey’s Neolithic history at this tranquil and spiritual heritage site. Visit the medieval chapel or stroll the grounds to explore Jersey’s archaeological history and WWII German Command Bunker. The museum exhibitions include the world’s largest Celtic coin hoard, with its gold torques and silver ingots. Meet the Vikings and see their craft work first hand. Experts are on hand to discuss every aspect of this wonderful site with you.

Time: 6.30pm to 8pm Price: FreeMeet: La Hougue BieParking: Free at La Hougue BieGuide: Various guidesGrade: Easy

Saturday 21

Origins of the historic pillar found below the St Lawrence church floor, and a walk through Viking territory

Frank Falle takes us on an historical walk, the object of which is to provide plausible evidence of the 9th century carvings on the back of the broken 4th century pillar of foreign granite. This half-pillar was discovered 3 feet below the nave floor. The mystery takes us on a circular walk, starting at the parish church, up Mill Brook/Dannemarshe Valley to Quetivel Mill, and returning via Hamptonne. Warning: the route was once inhabited by Vikings!

Time: 2.00pm – 4.30pmPrice: FreeMeet: St Lawrence ChurchParking: Free around the churchGuide: Frank Falle, local historianGrade: Through the lanes – requires walking shoes

Sunday 22 Les Varines - site tour

Visit the excavations at Les Varines, the late Magdalenian encampment being

excavated in St Saviour. Dating to 14,500 years ago, Les Varines preserves exceptional evidence for modern human hunters recolonising northern Europe after the coldest period of the last Ice Age. During the tour you will get to see the site under excavation, see material from the site and learn about the development of Jersey’s Ice Age landscape. Dr Ed Blinkhorn and Dr Chantal Conneller and the team have spent several summers on this site.

Time: 2.00pm Price: FreeMeet: Jersey College for Girls car parkParking: Free Guide: Dr Matt PopeGrade: Uneven – requires walking shoes

Sunday 22

Ice Age Island – Open Day

Visit the excavations at Les Varines, the late Ice Age encampment being excavated in St Saviour. Dating to 14,500 years ago, Les Varines preserves exceptional evidence for modern human hunters recolonising northern Europe after the coldest period of the last Ice Age. During the tour you will get to see the site under excavation, see material from the site and learn about the development of Jersey’s Ice Age landscape. Dr Ed Blinkhorn and Dr Chantal Conneller and the team have spent several summers on this site. At 2.30 a special tour will be put on by the team for Festival attendees – so try to make this time!

Time: 2.00pm Price: FreeMeet: Jersey College for Girls car parkParking: Free Guide: Dr Matt PopeGrade: Uneven – requires walking shoes

Sunday 22

Talk by Robert Waterhouse - Round up of events

Robert Waterhouse, the Société’s Field Archaeologist, will provide a summary of the archaeology projects undertaken in the island in the last year plus.

Time: 7pm Price: Free Meet: Société Jersiaise, 7 Pier Road, St HelierParking: Free at Pier Road car parkGuide: Robert Waterhouse, Société Jersiaise Field ArchaeologistGrade: Easy