La Hougue Bie facts for kids
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| Public transit access | Bus route 13 |
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| Nearest car park | On site (no charge) |
La Hougue Bie is a very old and important place in Jersey. It's in the parish of Grouville. This historic site has an ancient burial mound, old chapels, and a museum. It's so special that it's even shown on the Jersey 1 pound note! It's a fantastic place to explore history, from the Stone Age to World War II.
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What's in a Name?
The name La Hougue Bie sounds a bit mysterious, doesn't it? The word Hougue comes from an old language called Old Norse. It means "heap" or "mound," like a small hill.
The meaning of Bie is not as clear. Some people think it might be linked to an old story. Others believe it could be connected to old words for a stream or a building. So, La Hougue Bie probably means "a building on the earth mound."
The Ancient Passage Grave
La Hougue Bie is famous for its huge earth mound. Inside this mound is a long tunnel, about 18.6 metres (61 feet) long. This tunnel leads to a special chamber. This whole structure is called a passage grave.
Archaeologists first explored this site in 1925. They found pieces of pottery and bones from at least eight people. These items were likely left as offerings or part of ancient ceremonies.
A Neolithic Mystery
La Hougue Bie is a Neolithic site. This means it was used around 4000 to 3500 BC. That's about 6,000 years ago! It is one of the biggest and best-kept passage graves in Western Europe.
These sites were not just for burials. They were important ceremonial places, much like a church or cathedral today. People gathered here for special events.
Sunlight and Seasons
Something amazing happens inside the tomb. On the March equinox (spring) and the September equinox (autumn), the sun's rays shine right through the passage. They light up the very back of the chamber! This might have been a happy accident, but it makes the site even more magical.
Chapels and Prince's Tower
On top of the ancient mound, there are two old chapels. One was built in the 12th century, and the other in the 16th century. These buildings have changed a lot over time.
For a while, a tall building called the Prince’s Tower stood here. It was started in 1792 by Philippe d'Auvergne. He said he was building a signal station. This tower was part of a communication system for the island. The tower was taken down in 1924.
Second World War History
During the Second World War, La Hougue Bie was a very important lookout point. Soldiers built an underground command bunker inside the mound.
Today, you can visit this bunker. It has an exhibition that tells the story of people from all over Europe. These people were forced to build defenses in Jersey during the German occupation. It's a powerful reminder of history.
The Museum at La Hougue Bie
The site is looked after by Jersey Heritage. It also has a modern museum. Here, you can see a new archaeology exhibit. It's all about the Grouville Hoard. This is the world's largest collection of Celtic coins!
You can learn why people might have buried 70,000 coins and jewelry in Jersey 2,000 years ago. It's like solving an ancient mystery!
See also
- Archaeology of the Channel Islands
- Jersey Dolmens
- Tumulus
