Archaeology Review - Autumn 2003

The most important recent item of news for us, was the final announcement on August 7th of the decisions of the Environment and Public Services Committee on the application by the Jersey Heritage Trust for work at Mont Orgueil. From the late nineties, when work was first projected, the Section had pleaded vigorously for priority to be given to conservation work and had been critical of plans for the creation of a mock Tudor hospitality chamber in the keep with attendant kitchen and lavatories. The Section was not in principle against the re-roofing of the area in the cause of protection from the elements.

The outcome in all respects has been what we had always wanted. The long overdue conservation work is going ahead and the Trust is to submit fresh plans for what had been the controversial elements of its application. We look forward to working with the new management.

In June we conducted what is known as a “field walk” at St Clement uphill from an area where Gallo-Roman artefacts had been found in the 80s. Many fragments of pottery were found and of various periods from Iron Age to modern but nothing identifiably Gallo-Roman. We may look again.

The Planning Department has given us permission to dig one or two trial trenches on the site of the new Magistrate’s Court. This was originally projected for September in late summer weather in relatively dry soil. Now it seems unlikely before October when you will be reading this and when it will probably be raining solidly and the trenches will be water-logged. Mrs Margaret Finlaison who, in 1976, led the highly important excavations nearby on the site of Le Marquand House and also partially examined this new site, is not optimistic of our finding much as the area would originally have been on the edge of a marsh. Nevertheless, we are most grateful to the Planning Department for giving us the chance to have a look.

We continue to be represented on the Portable Antiquities and Treasure Trove Steering Committee which is involved with the drafting of a planning guidance document which it is hoped will be incorporated into legislation to protect more thoroughly items of island heritage found both on land and below the sea.

The Section is also in touch with the relevant bodies concerning planned work at both Elizabeth Castle and Fort Regent as well as the application to extend the sand and gravel extraction at Val de la Mare. There were no fewer than 28 items for discussion at the September committee meeting. The Section is certainly not idle.

Bob Le Sueur