Video: youngsters at Jersey's big dig powered by the sun

Thursday 14 July 2016

Dozens of budding young archaeologists have been learning more about Jersey's big dig, once home to a hunters' camp around 14,500 years ago.

The eight and nine-year-olds from JCG Prep have been at Les Varines where archaeologists have been shedding light on what they've unearthed and how the Island has become the first to use renewable energy to help them dig up more at the site.

The children learnt how the team struck gold last year when they uncovered a set of stone markings that are thought to be some of the oldest pieces of art discovered in Britain and that has put Jersey on the map as one of the leading locations of Ice Age Archaeology.

(Picture credit: Dr Sarah Duffy)

Archaeologists, researchers and students are back at the site for the summer and are hoping to uncover some more art, flint tools and bone to build more of a picture of the Island's Ice Age Past and they are all rigged up with some modern technology so that they can stay in touch with the modern world.

Dr Matt Pope said: “For the 2016 season we will be using a solar powered electricity generator at the Les Varines dig site. Modern archaeology requires the use of battery powered survey and recording equipment, as well as other electrical devices ranging from laptop computers through to mobile phones.

“The solar generator will give us freedom to keep these devices working smoothly throughout the day without costly runs back to our HQ and without the risk of losing data or survey time, as well as enabling us to base more of our recording and analysis on site. This equipment will make a big impact on our ability to undertake our research.”

Jersey Electricity’s Chief Executive Chris Ambler said, “Jersey Electricity is delighted to support Jersey Heritage and the Société Jersiaise in their acclaimed Ice Age Island Project by funding the acquisition of this solar rig that will enable the expert archaeological team working at the Les Varines dig this summer to undertake much more work in the field by powering all their electronic equipment.

"We are proud to help Dr Pope's team and Jersey become the first to use renewable energy this way on a high-profile dig. I think it is fantastic that such new, advanced technology will help to shed light on our past."

Jersey Heritage’s Curator of Archaeology Olga Finch said: “The Ice Age Island project has been collaborative throughout, with our team of experts from Jersey, France and the UK, support from the TDF and from our corporate sponsors, without whom we would not be able to advance this important research as quickly as we have. Jersey has many Ice Age stories to tell and being able to use new technology in this way to make that possible is very exciting.”

The Les Varines Live Dig and Pop Up Museum is now open to the public until 5 August and there is a special Open Day on Sunday 31 July from 10am until 3pm. You can catch a free shuttle bus up to the Live Dig from Jersey Museum at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.

You can find out more here.