Guernsey's medieval 'Porpoise grave' remains a mystery

The remains of a porpoise mysteriously buried on a small island have been dated to the medieval period. But experts remain baffled over why the sea creature seems to have been placed in a grave 600 years ago.

Extracts of bone from the porpoise's skull are thought to date from the 15th Century
[Credit: Dr Philip de Jersey via BBC]

The porpoise was discovered during a dig on Chapelle Dom Hue, a tiny island off Guernsey's west coast, last year. It is possible the mammal was butchered and preserved underground, according to the archaeologist who unearthed the animal.

Radiocarbon dating by a specialist lab in Florida has suggested the porpoise was buried between 1416 and 1490. The burial date fitted perfectly with the archaeology of the island, States of Guernsey Archaeologist Dr Philip de Jersey said.

However, he acknowledged some uncertainty remained over the exact date, owing to the uniqueness of the heavily decayed find. The porpoise was discovered during an archaeological dig in September 2017 to unearth a building that once stood on the island.

The porpoise bone is close to becoming soil after decaying in acidic soil, according to Dr de Jersey
[Credit: Dr Philip de Jersey via BBC]

The discovery quickly eclipsed any other finds, and prompted international intrigue as to why the porpoise was buried.

Dr de Jersey said he now believed the animal was butchered and placed underground, possibly in a salty brine, to be eaten, rather than being buried whole as a sign of respect by nearby Christian monks - one theory put forward.

"We have literary, textual, and historical evidence as well of the consumption of porpoise in the medieval period, and in fact specifically in Guernsey in the 13th and 14th Century," he said.

The island of Chapelle Dom Hue, off Guernsey's rugged west coast, can be reached over low tide [Credit: BBC]

Records from the 12th and 13th Century also showed disputes over porpoise meat which went on over "weeks, if not months" in the island, suggesting the remains were preserved over considerable time, he added.

A definitive answer as to why the porpoise was buried may, however, never be unearthed.

"There is not a lot left of Chapelle Dom Hue, and whoever was here didn't leave particularly wealthy or precious items behind," Dr de Jersey said. "I suspect we won't find out."

Source: BBC News Website [November 01, 2018]