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The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Native American Indian Mounds

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Native American Indian Mounds

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<< Our Photo Pages >> La Hougue Bie - Chambered Tomb in Channel Islands and Isle of Man in Jersey

Submitted by enkidu41 on Tuesday, 11 June 2019  Page Views: 15193

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: La Hougue Bie
Country: Channel Islands and Isle of Man
NOTE: This site is 0.406 km away from the location you searched for.
Island: Jersey Type: Chambered Tomb
Nearest Town: St. Saviour
Latitude: 49.200300N  Longitude: 2.0641W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 4 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 4

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I have visited· I would like to visit

DrewParsons would like to visit

macd visited on 1st Sep 2019 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 5 Fabulous site - a Neolithic Passage Tomb, topped by medieval chapels and with a German Bunker inserted in the side! Terrific museum onsite and lots of other items of interest in the grounds. I see the Neolithic house has been completed. Well done! I saw it under construction last September and look forward to seeing it all again this September.

kelpie visited on 7th Apr 2017 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5

lscollinson visited on 21st Sep 2012 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 5 One of the finest chambered tombs/passage graves in Europe.

Chrus visited on 1st Jan 2010 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5

attlebax moor2moor have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.25 Ambience: 4.5 Access: 5

La Hougue Bie, Equinox Rock Art
La Hougue Bie, Equinox Rock Art submitted by Aerial-Cam : On the morning of the Spring Equinox on Jersey in the magnificent passage grave called La Hougue Bie. Cupmarks on the right of the main chamber with the west (back) and north side chambers beautifully lit by fairly lights. AS Category A (Vote or comment on this photo)
On top of this colossal man-made circular mound, 54.9m in diameter and 12.2m high, is a pair of conjoined mediaeval chapels which , until 1924, were in turn crowned by a pseudo-Gothic house, La Tour d'Auvergne. It contains a single cruciform passage grave, the main chamber of which lies immediately below the summit.

Grid reference WV68205038
The 9.7m long passage leads to the chambers to give a total length to the construction of 20.4m. The passage and chambers are roofed with flat capstones obviously chosen for their size and rectangular shape. The passage opens into the 9m long by 2m high by 3m wide main chamber whose 5 capstones are supported by 5 uprights and a modern granite pillar. 2 identical side chambers and a large end chamber (with a small additional cell off) complete the cruciform plan.

Address: La Route De La Hougue Bie, JE2 7UA
Phone: 01534 853 823
Opening Hours: Open daily from 1st April to 3rd November 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Admission: Charge
Web site: La Société Jersiaise

Note: A tour of the archaeology galleries at La Hougue Bie Museum with Olga Finch, Curator of Archaeology, Tues 16th July 2019. Also open evening, Sat 27th July
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La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by daved : Grouville District Inside La Houge Bie - looking out (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by attlebax : View from inside La Hougue Bie. The entrance is less than four feet high. (Vote or comment on this photo)

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by moor2moor : The entrance to the tomb. (Vote or comment on this photo)

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by lscollinson : The impressive entrance to La Hogue Bie chambered tomb. (Vote or comment on this photo)

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by kelpie : La Hougue Bie entrance and chapels on a sunny spring morning.

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by hailstones : La Hougue Bie on the morning of Spring Equinox. A Neolithic Passage grave 6000 yrs old. There are two medieval chapels on the top of the mound

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by attlebax : Picture taken May 2011. The entrance must only be about three feet high. Well worth the effort of going inside.

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by hailstones : Art work inside neolithic house

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by hailstones : Notice board by neolithic house

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by hailstones : A reconstruction of a neolithic house at the back of La Hougue Bie

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by hailstones : A side view of La Hougue Bie looking similar to Silbury Hill/Glastonbury Tor

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by moor2moor : Inside the tomb.

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by daved : Grouville District Superb Neolithic passage grave date between 4000 & 3250BC. 2 chapels, c15C, on top of pagan site . Great to go in and a good museum on the site.

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by karolus : Original site plan, illustrating Hougue Bie's similarity to Irish structures, totally original to the Channel Islands.

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by macd : Interior of house Sep 2018 under construction

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by macd : Under construction in Sep 2018

La Hougue Bie
La Hougue Bie submitted by hailstones : Musical instruments inside neolithic house (3 comments)

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 2.1km SW 225° Les Varines* Ancient Village or Settlement
 2.7km E 84° Faldouet Dolmen* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 3.0km SSW 192° Le Mont Ubé* Passage Grave
 3.6km S 190° La Dame Blanche* Standing Stone (Menhir)
 4.3km NNE 29° Le Couperon* Passage Grave
 4.5km SSW 192° La Motte (Jersey)* Cist
 4.8km W 265° Ville ès Nouaux* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 5.6km NNW 342° La Roche a la Fee* Cist
 5.9km NNW 334° La Hougue des Platons* Chambered Tomb
 7.3km NW 308° La Hougue Boëte* Chambered Tomb
 8.1km WSW 248° La Hougue de Vinde* Chambered Tomb
 9.4km WSW 253° La Cotte de St Brelade* Cave or Rock Shelter
 10.8km W 268° La Tête des Quennevais Ancient Village or Settlement
 11.1km W 269° Broken Menhir, The* Standing Stone (Menhir)
 11.1km W 269° The Ossuary* Chambered Tomb
 11.1km W 267° Great Menhir, The* Standing Stone (Menhir)
 11.1km W 268° Little Menhir, The* Standing Stone (Menhir)
 11.2km W 276° The White Menhir Standing Stone (Menhir)
 11.2km WSW 258° The Beauport Dolmen Chambered Tomb
 11.3km W 277° Les Trois Rocques* Standing Stones
 11.6km W 264° La Rocque ès Jovaies* Standing Stone (Menhir)
 12.0km WNW 287° Les Mont de Grantez* Passage Grave
 12.2km WNW 297° La Hougue des Géonnais* Passage Grave
 12.3km W 263° La Sergenté* Passage Grave
 12.8km W 261° La Table des Marthes* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Plas Newydd Burial Chamber

St Laurence's Church (Bradford on Avon) >>

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"La Hougue Bie" | Login/Create an Account | 6 News and Comments
  
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Open evening at La Hougue Bie, Sat 27th July by Andy B on Friday, 14 June 2019
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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 recently completed 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. Experts are on hand to discuss every aspect of this wonderful site with you.

27 July, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Additional information
This event finishes at 8pm.

La Hougue Bie Museum, La Hougue Bie, Grouville, Jersey, JE3 9HQ


https://festival.archaeologyuk.org/events/open-evening-la-hougue-bie-1557423996
[ Reply to This ]

Tour of the archaeology galleries at La Hougue Bie Museum, 16th July 2019 by Andy B on Tuesday, 11 June 2019
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A unique tour of the archaeology galleries at La Hougue Bie Museum with Olga Finch, Curator of Archaeology with Jersey Heritage

Olga has been curator since 1994 and has also worked on many excavations in Jersey including being Assistant Director of the major excavations carried out at La Hougue Bie in the 1990s.

Olga will tour the galleries using the objects to tell Jersey’s amazing archaeological stories from the Ice Age at La Cotte de St Brelade, 250,000 years ago to the Iron Age and the incredible Le Catillon II coin hoard discovery - giving background details about the excavations and the significance of the many objects on display.
Booking information

No booking required.
The event is free.
16 July, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
This event will last approximately 1.5 hours

More details:
https://festival.archaeologyuk.org/events/unique-tour-archaeology-galleries-la-hougue-bie-museum-olga-finch-curator-archaeology-jersey
[ Reply to This ]

Re: La Hougue Bie, Jersey by AngieLake on Tuesday, 10 August 2010
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From leaflet 'Where to find the Dolmens of Jersey' (Jersey Heritage Trust):
"La Hougue Bie (4000 BC) - one of the finest passage graves in Europe, cruciform in plan and covered by a 12m high mound, excavated 1924, there is an archaeology museum on the site."

" Further info @ http://www.jerseyheritagetrust.org
and
http://www.prehistoricjersey.net "
[ Reply to This ]

The mysteries of La Hougue Bie by Andy B on Saturday, 07 November 2009
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The 6,000 year-old burial site at La Hougue Bie is one of the best preserved remnants of the Neolithic period in Western Europe.

Every spring and autumn crowds of people gather to watch the equinox from inside the chamber. Archaeologists can make educated guesses about what went on there, but much is shrouded in mystery. The name is Norse in origin, coming from hougue meaning man made and bie meaning Homestead.

Archaeologist Olga Finch is the curator at La Hougue Bie, and explained this in more detail. "Hougue and Bie are Norse words. Hougue was a term the Vikings used for man—made mounds, and Bie means homestead. So it could mean the homestead near the mound," said Olga.

Despite being best known as a burial ground Olga says that this was just one, albeit important, aspect of what went on.

"It was almost like a cross between a modern-day church and a community hall.

"We know there were rituals associated with seasonal activities because the Neolithic people were the first farmers," she explained.

Therefore the cycles of nature were crucial to the survival of the indigenous population. The discovery of the equinox alignment brought home how important this time of year was to the farming community.

The Equinox alignment happens twice a year. La Hougue Bie's entrance points directly east, which enables a beam of sunlight to travel up the passageway to illuminate the chamber deep in the mound.

Today, this natural phenomenon inspires awe, not just among the community at large, but with archaeologists like Olga.

"We are talking about 6,000 years ago. The window into the tomb was set up perfectly, so that the rising sun penetrates not just the front, but all the way back into the terminal cell," she said.

Olga believes the terminal cell at the foremost part of the mound would have been the focal point for any rituals which took place.

Entering the mound is a mildly uncomfortable experience, requiring visitors to crouch, chimp-like, to negotiate the nine metre passageway leading to the chamber.

Olga says this was probably to conceal the main area for ritual from uninvited eyes.

The passage opens up into the main chamber, which takes a cruciform shape. Two side chambers to the north and south were the burial plots for the dead.

The large flat rock at the back of the passage is raised up from the floor denoting a more sacred area.

"It is almost like a modern day church. The further back you go the more sacred and spiritual it gets and less people have access to it."

"There is a little terminal cell at the back, which may have housed an important object or person.

"The equinox sunrise concentrates initially in that area. This shaft of light perhaps symbolises bringing in new energy. It is all about rebirth and contact with the dead."

"Anyone who experiences it knows they have witnessed something really special. To think 6000 years ago there would have been people in here experiencing the same thing," Olga explained.

Again Olga can only hazard an educated guess as to the meaning of the rituals that went on all those thousands of years ago.

"We know there were little seeds placed on the cairn stones, so it may have been a plea to the gods for a good harvest," she said.

The human remains of about eight people - male and female adults - were found at the site. The items they were buried with are strong evidence in a belief in the afterlife.

"There were bones of cattle, which may have been left as food for the afterlife. There were also flint tools that show people believed they would need these things in the next world," Olga said.

Despite significant digs in the '90s, much of the site remains unexcavated. La Hougue Bie may reveal more of its secrets for future generations to wonder about.

Read the rest of this post...
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Hands-on dig held at burial site by Andy B on Saturday, 23 July 2005
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n archaeological dig is set to take place at La Hougue Bie on Saturday. It is all part of an archaeology week which aims to encourage youngsters to take a bigger interest in history. The day is one in a series of events being held by Jersey Heritage and will allow islanders to locate, excavate, clean and log historical artefacts.

Organisers said it would be a hands-on experience and other activities will include pot making, Neolithic demonstrations and guided tours. Neolithic man in Jersey built the burial site at La Hougue Bie to link in with the equinox. As the sun rises a beam of light can shine right through to the back wall of the burial passage.
Source: BBC Online
http://www.jerseyheritagetrust.org/sites/hougue%20bie/hougue.html
[ Reply to This ]

Excavations at La Hougue Bie, Jersey. by Andy B on Thursday, 02 September 2004
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Fifth Interim Report: the Facade and Entrance Areas by George Nash
Centre for the Historic Environment, University of Bristol
and Border Archaeology.

The report is available on George's web site.
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