Faldouet Dolmen, Jersey, United Kingdom

La Pouquelaye de Faldouet is one of the best preserved dolmens in Jersey. A 5m long passage leads to a large circular chamber beyond which is a large capstoned end chamber. This capstone weighs approximately 24 tonnes and comes from a rhyolite outcrop 0.5km north of the site. Three small side chambers and two internal cists form the edges of the main chamber. The cists had capstones but it is unlikely that the passage and central area were ever roofed. The monument is surrounded by at least two drystone revetments and a ring of upright stones.

When it was no longer in use the site was covered by a rubble mound leaving only the capstone exposed. It was excavated in 1839, 1868 and in 1910 by the Société Jersiaise. Human bones from at least three adults and two children, one of which was a complete skeleton in a seated position in one of the side chambers were found as well as a three complete plain bowls, a small 'pigment cup', two vase supports (on which sat two of the bowls), flint tools, stone axes, rubbers, hammers, greenstone and dolerite pendants. The dolmen is one of the two Jersey monuments aligned with the solar equinox.

References:

Prehistoric Jersey

Prehistoric and archaeological sites in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Phil Coates (14 months ago)
A fascinating historic site if you like that kind of thing - we do…. It’s also just a pile of stones - no info, no charge and nowhere to park.

cat byers (2 years ago)
Hidden away down a tiny green lane not far from Haute de La Garenne Youth Hostel, is this stunning Dolmen. Down a pretty grass track surrounded by trees, you enter the sacred space..so peaceful ancient and empty. There is no parking and blink and you will miss it driving along the lane. We parked at the beautiful reserve and walk above Mont Orgeuil, then walked the dogs to the Dolmen..not a soul around and stunning scenery and houses. Another ssshhh local spot and Eastern treasure

Mike Brewer (3 years ago)
Stones from what was once a large burial chamber. Check out the soundscape too (look for small sign with a QR code)

simon harley (3 years ago)
A peaceful place to sit and contemplate 6000 years of human history. I liked the qr code nearby which linked to a musical experience.

Simon Rose (3 years ago)
Wonderful small sight and definitely worth a visit if you can pop by. We had the place to ourselves and you could explore right up close all over the site

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Faldouet Dolmen

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater