Alderney 'big dig' to uncover more secrets from Roman settlement

Archaeologists in Alderney have been given the go ahead to excavate more of a Roman burial site that was discovered in June 2017.

Workers who were digging in the area initially came across a skull at Rue des Mielles. More skeletons and graves were later uncovered.

Since then a courtyard and walls have been found at Longis Bay, which is thought to be part of a larger site that covers 40,000 square meters.

More ancient discoveries include jewellery and a second century bronze coin, indicating people may have lived and worked in the area around 2,000 years ago.

Permission has been granted by Alderney's General Services Committee to continue excavating the site in a three week dig from August 11th.

Local volunteers and students from a UK university will join Guernsey's Head of Heritage Services Dr Jason Monaghan and States of Guernsey Archaeologist Dr Phil de Jersey.

The team now want to identify whether an Iron Age cemetery lies below the Roman ruins.