That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
The Island has a large number of ancient sites, with at least one in each parish. Many of these ancient stones are in the care of the Société Jersiaise. Some sites are passage graves, a narrow access corridor leading into a larger chamber, sometimes with other chambers at the side. Other sites are incomplete and it is impossible to be certain of their original form. These sites have all been investigated and many are recorded in the Bulletins of the Société Jersiaise. There are also menhirs, or standing stones, sometimes referred to locally as "pouquelayes" or "pouclées". These are not to be confused with the Millennium standing stones, erected in each parish to celebrate the year 2000!
As you look around the Island, you will find a wide variety of sculptures and memorials. They vary in size, in information given and in importance, but they each have a story to tell. There are many more than you will find here, and you can learn a lot about the Island's history from exploring and researching any other sculptures you notice.
As the second millennium since the birth of Christ drew to an end, everyone was full of ideas for projects to mark the occasion, and initiatives spilled over the years 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Memorials to the occasion included a 14-panel mosaic, a tapestry created by primary school children, and millennium crosses and stones.