Founded 1906
Archaeology Report Autumn 1999
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Rocky Clump
Excavations began again at Rocky Clump in April. The site has been extended in both northerly and westerly directions. A large pit cut by the north/south ditch has produced large blocks of sarsen stone and flint nodules in the lower layers with significant quantities of bone. The west ditch continues and the excavation in this direction has produced a complex arrangement of features, including another section of the 'Medieval' ditch that does cut through the Roman ditch making it a later feature.
One of the newcomers to the Field Unit, Mr Norman Phippard, is a student on the Practical Archaeology course at Sussex University and at part of his field notebook it was suggested that he draw up a section of one of the ditches. To do this it was necessary for Norman to clean up the side of the ditch and whilst doing this he found decorated Iron Age pottery and a bronze cuneiform shaped horse bridle piece. Was this beginners’s luck! Excavations continue until October.
Dyke Road Burial
During May of this year the BHAS Field Unit carried out excavations with Archaeology South East along the route of the pipeline running across the South Downs. The location of the site was close to the pumping station at the junction of Dyke Road and the Saddlescombe Road. A total of 15 members of the Field Unit took part in the excavation over the week-end. The site contained a multitude of features include post holes of a clearly observed round house. A pair of parallel ditches running northwards were of differing styles and that to the west was more eroded than the other. There were a number of pits and two of these produced finds of antler in the lower fills, making the features possibly date to the Neolithic period. One significant find was of a crouched child burial in a small grave cut. Parts of the skull of the infant had been destroyed by ploughing but sufficient remained for detailed examination and recording. Several pieces of decorated pottery were also retrieved from features. Features and contents suggest a site of both the Iron Age and Roman periods. The BHAS Field Unit would like to thank David Rudling for allowing us to participate in the excavation.
Preston Manor
A geophysical survey at Preston Manor, conducted in February has produced interesting results. The ground had been exceptionally saturated but still produced high readings in a number of locations. One location is clearly an area of rubble. A cottage is shown at one location in a drawing of 1617. During a later period other cottages were added and finally demolished this century. Some of the features are in interesting locations possibly related to the Medieval period. Further surveys are planned for this year. The BHAS Field Unit would like to thank both David Breeze and Edwyna Fox of Preston Manor for producing so much information which helped with planning of the project and also for allowing access to the manor and the surrounding grounds.
Library Donation to BHAS Field Unit
John Seagrave was a past member of the BHAS Field Unit in a post excavation capacity. John was a regular member of the finds marking evenings. Sadly John passed away last June, but he bequeathed his not inconsiderable library to the Field Unit of the Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society. Field Unit member Linda Penfold is currently compiling a catalogue of the vast collection of books and magazines. Members of the Society will be able to request a copy of the catalogue upon its completion and access to the literature may be made through Linda. Full details will be published at a later date. The books include publications dealing with all subjects from the Palaeolithic through to the 17th century A.D.
Isle of Sheppey
Mr Gary Bishop a member of the BHAS Field Unit and also a professional archaeologist has been working in Kent on the Isle of Sheppey. The large site produced features of several ring ditches and even a possible causewayed enclosure as well as exceptionally large quantities of pottery from all periods. Pits and post holes produced an intense configuration of features yet to be clearly defined and chronologically phased and dated. Several members of the BHAS Field Unit travelled to Kent to enjoy a variation in archaeological environments and to dig on a professionally led excavation. We would like to thank Archaeology South East for allowing our participation.
Preston Road Roman Villa
Earlier this year Archaeology South East were commissioned to conduct a watching brief on an area close to the burial sites of the known Roman villa at Springfield Road. Members of the Society will be interested to learn that although the villa had possessed a number of monochrome mosaics, the watching brief produced not a single archaeological feature or artefact. The area excavated appeared to be some form of chalk terrace, (D.Rudling pers comm). Further watching briefs may be ordered when new areas are developed.
