Le Couperon Dolmen: A Window to Jersey's Neolithic Past

Le Couperon Dolmen, nestled in the parish of St. Martin, Jersey, is a captivating archaeological site that whispers tales of the Neolithic era. Dating back approximately 5,000 years (3250-2250 BC), this gallery grave offers a fascinating insight into the prehistoric people who once inhabited the island. The dolmen consists of an 8-meter-long rectangular chamber, originally covered by a long mound, surrounded by a ring of eighteen curb stones. These stones are also known as a 'peristalith'. While the mound has largely vanished due to excavation, the site remains an impressive testament to ancient construction. The site has undergone restoration, most notably in 1868 and 1919, after the capstones had fallen into the chamber. During the 1919 restoration, the Société Jersiaise repositioned a porthole stone to the eastern end of the chamber. Archaeologists believe the porthole stone may have originally divided the chamber into two unequal segments, each with its own entrance. Excavations at the site have yielded a few flint flakes and pottery fragments, offering tangible links to the people who used this monument. Standing just a few meters from the Le Couperon guardhouse, the dolmen creates a compelling juxtaposition of different eras in Jersey's history.