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 (8 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 (13 months 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 (2 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 (2 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 (2 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

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Staffan O Andersson

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The stone church of Gamla Uppsala, built over the pagan temple, dates from the early 12th century. Due to fire and renovations, the present church is only a remnant of the original cathedral.

Before the arrival of Christianity in Sweden, Gamla Uppsala was the seat of Swedish kings and a ceremonial site known all over northern Europe. The settlement was home to royal palaces, a royal burial ground, and a great pagan temple. The Uppsala temple, which was described in detail by Adam of Bremen in the 1070s, housed wooden statues of the Norse gods Odin, Thor and Freyr. A golden chain hung across its gables and the inside was richly decorated with gold. The temple had priests, who sacrificed to the gods according to the needs of the people.

The first Christian cathedral was probably built in the 11th century, but finished in the 12th century. The stone building may have been preceded by a wooden church and probably by the large pagan temple.

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