Founded 1906
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This section contains the latest news from the Field Unit, as and
when it occurs. New sections are added as and when to show the
progress the Field Unit are making during the year.
Rocky Clump 2023 The new season of excavations at Rocky Clump Stanmer, near Brighton began in April 2023. A new area measuring 15 metres by 8 metres is located to the west of the large depression and post holes excavated in 2022. The new investigations will be focused on a very large pit, which is about 9.5 metre long and 5,5 metres wide. A small section was cut into this pit in 2022 and produced over 150 struck flint flakes, some hammerstones and sherds of pottery now dated to the Middle Bronze Age. After the removal of the top soil the pit will be excavated using the quadrant method, with the fill from the north/west and south/east sections being removed. It is known that the pit is deeper than 2 metres. A sondage has been set up on the west side of the trench and this is gradually being dug eastwards in 1 metre wide spits. A number of post holes have been revealed, and several possible pits. One area in the north/west corner of the site is producing significant amounts of finds of pottery, oyster shells and nails. It is on a similar elevation to a pit excavated in 2022 a little to the east, and where a number of post holes were also found. A number of coins have been recovered along with marine shell and samian pottery among the other finds. John Skelton is directing this season with Pete Tolhurst taking responsibility for training. Any member of BHAS can request tuition in any of the resources or techniques that we have at our disposal. A geophysical survey of the north field is planned for August. The Young Archaeologist Clubs (YAC), both Chailey and Brighton will be joining us during the season. This season we have seen an influx of new young members, which is always great to see. The excavations will continue until late September. This excavation at Rocky Clump is in the south field, and it is producing pottery from the Late Iron Age. It may be that the small peasant, subsistence settlement originated in this location before moving north of the trees, and expanding during the early and middle Roman periods. Low status sites from the late Iron Age and early Roman periods are quite rare so this will be a great opportunity to reveal where, and how, ordinary people were living and working.
The Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society is open to all whatever your experience. You will need to be a member to participate, which is £20 full or £10 student, and have a current tetanus. Digging is on Wednesdays and Saturdays until late October. There may one week of digging during August with the date still to be confirmed.
You will need to bring refreshments, sun factor
and wet gear, as the site is exposed and you can get wet. BHAS supply
tools and training You will be
We meet at 9-45 am at the Upper Lodge car park in
Stanmer, and finish on site at 4-00 pm so back at the car park at
about 4-30 pm.
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