Dos de Cheval (Champ Paya) (EfAx-09)

(L) The Area A (west) galet, with Cape Rouge and Northeast Crouse in the background.The promontory divides
the site's two beaches, the stage area was located in the western part of the room. View to north.
(R) The water on the east side of the Dos de Cheval archaeological site is shallow and rocky, which makes landing
boats difficult here.

(L) Archaeologists standing where French crews built their fishing stages, in Area C.
(R) Test units in the anthropogenic (man-made) terrace on the waterfront, Area C.

Tabular rock hearth, part of a late 18th-century wooden cookroom. Tabular rock hearth, part of a late 18th-century wooden cookroom.

(L) A ramp, probably used to repair fishing boats, constructed of alternating rows of tabular rocks and logs.
(R) The boat ramp reconstructed with the original rocks and new logs, to recreate its original appearance, for
site interpretation.

(L) A layer of nails and the base of a Normandy stoneware vessel, near the 18th-century boat ramp.
(R) This 12m long trench, excavated down to the natural beach, revealed the deep deposit created by the
Breton crews by their continual seasonal activities at the Champ Paya fishing room, over four centuries.

(L) Christian burial in the beach cobble of a tall robust male, about 40 years old, likely a Breton fishermen,
circa 1680-1700.
(R) Cranial detail of the beach burial. Note the large round hole in the cranium. If this was a Breton fishermen
did he die from a musket shot? A blow to the head? Or a fall from the stage?

(L) 19th-century clay tobacco pipe bowl, from a context lying over the rock hearth.
(R) The wrought iron nails from just one stratum in just one 1x1 m square.

(L) French pottery, excavated at the Dos de Cheval site.
(R) Incised sherd of a Normandy coarse stoneware jug or jar, from Bessin-Cotentin, 18th or 19th century.

(L) The bread oven mound prior to excavation.
(R) The bread oven was located beside a rock face, as protection from the wind.

(L) The excavation and recording of the bread oven.
(R) The rock wall of the bread oven.

(L) The waterfront and the ramp constructed to access the terrace above the fishing room of Champ Paya.
(R) The ramp leading from the waterfront Area C to the higher terrace, showing the rock construction.

(L) A 19th-century dormitory in Area F, with its worn doorsill and doorstep outside the partially-excavated
rock-paved floor.
(R) A rocky wall uncovered on the higher terrace, in Area D. It looks like the foundation of a cabin - but the lack
of artifacts suggests that it may simply be the edge of a constructed galet.

(L) The galet in Area B, where fish were dried.
(R) Excavating a rocky wall marking the edge of a pathway.

(L) These tumbled tabular rocks are the remains of the plinth of an early cross overlooking the fishing room of
Champ Paya - much closer to the water than the later cross rebuilt by the French Navy.
(R) Where the early cross stood on the Breton fishing room of Champ Paya.

(L) The large oak cross erected by the French Navy in the 1934, to replace earlier crosses erected by Breton
fishermen.
(R) Exavation of the base of the cross erected by The French Navy in 1934 revealed the foundations of an earlier
cross erected by Breton fishermen.

(L) A cod dabber used as a fishing lure.
(R) Graffiti left by fishing crews.

(L) Alexanders or wild parsnip, often an indication of soils enriched by human occupation.
(R) Nettles: the classic vegetation shadow of human disturbance.

(L) Anomolous small rocks on the sea floor, just off Area C - possible ballast from a French fishing stage.
(R) A Minke whale visits the site.