the mound

The great mound which covers the passage grave was recently explored for the first time as part of a major excavation project. The project was carried out between 1991 and 1995 and led to the spectacular discovery of a massive stone structure lying beneath the grass covered mound. This discovery has enabled us to understand the structure and evolution of the whole monument.

The first phase of La Hougue Bie's development was the construction of the passage and chamber which were then covered by a well structured rubble cairn. This was at least 9m high, 36m in diameter and was faced with dry stone walling. This can be clearly seen around the entrance. During the Neolithic period when the monument was in use, a series of earth banks were built against the mound, again these were faced with dry stonework. The last and by far the largest of these banks can be seen as curving walls extending from either side of the tomb's entrance.

The passage grave of La Hougue Bie remained open and in use for several centuries. When the tomb was finally sealed, the passage was blocked by a dry stone wall and the entrance area was filled in and blocked by a mass of debris. The site appears to have been completely abandoned until the medieval period.