People From Jersey To Take Part In Archaeological Digs

Monday, 18 March 2024 13:00

Islanders are being given a rare opportunity to take part in local and international archaeology excavations.

The Jersey International Centre of Advanced Studies (JICAS) is running two field schools for those interested in archaeology to get hands-on experience exploring ancient history.

People in Jersey with no prior experience of archaeology but a passion for learning and discovery can take part in two digs - one in Jersey and the other in Despotiko in Greece.

Experts from Jersey, the UK and European Universities will teach excavation, restoration and preservation techniques, while conducting surveys and recording data.

The island is of significant interest to archeologists, being the location of one of the most important Neanderthal sites in Northwestern Europe.

La Cotte de Saint Brelade alone has produced more artefacts and fossilised remains than the entire UK.

Adjunct Professor at the Department of History and Culture at the University of Bologna, Dr Helen Dawson, leads the Jersey field School.

"Smaller islands have so many different landscapes tightly packaged into a small area. Therefore, you see changes very dramatically and how people used different parts of islands at different times.

This has the effect of amplifying what you see on the mainland because everything is compressed and miniaturised.

This is important because, when we gain a deeper understanding of an island’s past, we can forge stronger connections to our heritage and gain important insights into navigating challenges like environmental shifts and cultural changes.”