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Fresh dig hopes to unearth old Alderney history

Fresh dig hopes to unearth old Alderney history

Tuesday 30 April 2024

Fresh dig hopes to unearth old Alderney history

Tuesday 30 April 2024


Buried secrets from the Iron Age and the Roman occupation are hoped to be uncovered in a series of archaeological digs in Alderney next month.

The charity Dig Alderney is leading excavations at Longis Common between 1 and 24 May.

Traces of the Iron Age were discovered on the hill at Les Huguettes after a golf course was constructed there in the 1960s. A large amounts of pottery was found at the time, and more clues about islanders are hoped to be revealed in the 2020s. 

The second site is opposite the Roman fort at the Nunnery, with fresh focus after digs in the last few years found extensive traces of buildings from that period, including a metre-high walls, pavements, pottery, and glass. 

Local and UK volunteers will work in May with months of post-excavation work to follow.  

Former Guernsey Museums Director Dr Jason Monaghan said more investigation is warranted on the back of previous finds. 

We’ll be exploring beyond our original trenches to try to establish the size of the building, and what its function was,” he said. 

“We believe it to have been of later Roman date, perhaps third to fourth century but would like more dating evidence to confirm this. Of course, it would be very exciting if we also found more Frankish material as this is a period of Channel Island history we know very little about.” 

Community groups have already cleared vegetation in the sites, and government and utility support will be provided. A lecture supported by the Alderney Society will then be held at the Island Hall on 23 May. 

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Dig to uncover more secrets of Alderney’s past

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