After a few detours by some of us
to view the scenery, we eventually met with Deidre who led us along the cliff
top path to the unique prehistoric site of Pinnacle Rock. This complex site
is located on the north west coast of Jersey in the parish of St Ouen.
The first glimpse of Pinnacle Rock was a dramatic sight. As we approached the site, we looked down over the cliff top at a steep descent leading to an area of land (the col) that linked with a natural rock, very much like the shape of a menhir that seemed to rise out of he sea to a height of about 200ft. The rock is a differentially weathered outcrop of granite, the pink colouring arising from the high orthoclase feldspar content. High in the cliffs to the south of Pinnacle Rock we could clearly see the outcrop of one of the many dolorite sills in this area which became more apparent on our walk back to the cars after the visit. There is also another sill in the base of Pinnacle Rock which we couldn't see because of the high tide. It is interesting to note from the GA guide that a Victorian geologist, Rev. Ch. Noury, had predicted that the erosion of the sill at the base of the Pinnacle rock would collapse either landward or seaward within a hundred years i.e. any time now! But undaunted we carried on down to the site.
The wave cut gully or col between the cliff and Pinnacle Rock has since been partly filled with wind blown sand. This contributes to the complicated stratigraphy of the archaeology as evidence suggests that the organic material excavated from the site shows that it has been blowing into the gully since 3,000bp.
Deidre described Pinnacle Rock as unique and that it must have been a very special place in prehistory, as evidence showed that the site was used for over four thousand years through successive periods of activity. Deidre explained how many people have claimed to see "faces" in the weathered rock. Indeed we all began to see shapes in the rocks and ascribe particular features to them. One particular shape gave rise to the description of being watched over by a robed figure. Eerie.
Deidre explained to us that very little had been published on the excavations at Pinnacle Rock. The main excavations were carried out by Father Christian Burdo and Major A.D.B. Godfray from 1930 - 1935. They found good evidence of continuous use of the site from the early Neolithic around 4,800bc with finds of pottery, bones and stone axes to the Roman-Gallo period where a coin of the Emperor Commodus dated to 200ad had been found.
The major features to be seen were the existence of stone banks constructed in the late Neolithic with the addition of a second bank in the Bronze Age. Burdo described these banks as "ramparts" or defensive structures, associated more with the Iron Age; however, there was no evidence for any hut circles to suggest there had been communities inhabiting the site. The purpose of the banks is still a mystery but thought to be associated with ceremonial activity rather than as defensive structures. Other finds of the Neolithic included remains of hearths, querns with evidence of fire damage, middens with bones mainly of cattle, pigs and sheep. Adjacent to the stone banks is the outline of a double walled rectangular structure of a small Roman shrine or temple dated to approximately 1st century ad.
Other important finds included a copper axe from the Chalcolithic period dated to approximately 2,500 bc found in association with Beaker ware and Jersey Bowl sherds, flint and barbed arrowheads. A basal loop bronze spearhead was discovered along with many finds of flint. The finds of three polished stone axes, hammers, unfinished stone axes and dolerite picks, made and used from the raw material on the site, suggested that one of the probable uses of the site was as an axe production factory. When Linda showed her find of flint flakes, this created a stir of excitement. We were all soon "rabbiting" around looking for flints which stood out in this geological and archaeological context. Many flakes and a possible scraper were found including some "honey" coloured flints from material thought to have derived from Brittany and used here to make beautiful arrowheads.
The natural geological features and the spectacular setting help create an air of mystery over the site. The lack of any domestic structures, circles or huts over such a long period of use make interpretation of the site very difficult. The nature of the activities on the site indicate industrial use. The special finds and Roman shrine point to the ceremonial significance of this site. As Deirdre told us, a very special place indeed.
Heather Raggett