Le Couperon dolmen facts for kids
Le Couperon is an ancient stone structure called a dolmen. It was built a very long time ago, between about 3250 and 2250 BC. This was during the Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age. You can find Le Couperon in the parish of Saint Martin, Jersey.
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Exploring Le Couperon Dolmen
What is Le Couperon?
Le Couperon is a special type of ancient tomb. It has a long chamber, about eight metres (26 feet) long. Large flat stones, called capstones, once covered this chamber. These capstones formed the roof of the tomb.
Originally, a long mound of earth covered the whole structure. Around the outside, there was a circle of eighteen standing stones. These outer stones are known as peristaliths. They helped to hold the mound in place.
Uncovering the Past: Excavations
People first explored the Le Couperon site in 1868. By that time, the heavy capstones had fallen into the chamber. The archaeologists carefully lifted these stones. They also found a special stone with a hole in it, called a porthole stone.
The excavators then put the dolmen back together. They tried to make it look like they thought it did originally. In 1919, a local history group called the Société Jersiaise moved the porthole stone. It is now at the eastern end of the chamber.
However, some archaeologists think the porthole stone was once inside the chamber. They believe it might have divided the chamber into two parts. Each part might have had its own entrance. During the digs, only a few small pieces were found. These included some tiny flint flakes and pottery fragments.
Where is Le Couperon Located?
Le Couperon dolmen stands very close to another historical building. It is only a few metres away from the Le Couperon guardhouse. This guardhouse is a more recent building.
