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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.
* Original Information 18th February 2019
BHAS Post Excavation 2018/2019
There have been a number of finds processing days
over the winter period. Finds from the excavations at Rocky Clump
were washed at the premises of the professional unit Archaeology
South East (ASE) who once again kindly opened their doors to us. We
had several visit to their site for finds washing. There have been 2
other finds processing days held at the Patcham Community Centre
where finds were sorted into their various catagories, and later
marked after washing. All of these events were well supported by the
membership. A number of the BHAS field unit have also been working at
ASE helping them out with some processing. We have marking finds from
their excavations at Chichester, which do not have funding. This has
given the BHAS field unit the opportunity to examine pottery and
other finds from different Sussex locations.
Winter Walks
There has been only a single winter walk this
season. This was a walk from the ancient trackway leading from Falmer
to St Mary Farm. The walk then progressed upwards to Stanmer Down and
Bow Hilll. After looking at earthworks and other archaeological
features the walk continued up into Millbank Wood. There is so much
archaeology in this part of Sussex. A good number of BHAS members
came along on a bleak and overcast, but dry day. One other outing was
to Ringmer where BHAS members were invited along to the site of a
brick making kiln being excavated by Archaeology South East.
Beacon Hill
In November 2018 the BHAS conducted some small
excavations on Beacon Hill. The test pits were located in an area
between the pair of Neolithic long barrows, which are scheduled
Ancient Monuments. The test pits were to investigate the site for a
new beacon location. The test pits revealed possible cuttings in the
chalk below, and a nice collection of prehistoric pottery and flintwork.
In December a small watching brief was conducted
on Beacon Hill just east of the windmill. A number of picnic benches
were being erected and BHAS examined the post holes as they were
being dug. No features were noted, but there was an interesting
collection of Victorian artifacts.
Excavations at Rocky Clump from April
6th 2019
The Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society will
be returning to Rocky Clump on Saturday 6th April. This season we
will continue to investigate the east end of a large ditched
enclosure. This is the entrance to this late Iron Age or early
Romano-British enclosure, other areas inside of the enclosure will
also be examined. In 2018 about a third of the area planned for
excavation was examined and features found included an Iron Age
granary building and large grain storage pit. Other features
investigated included some of the surrounding ditches which produced
late Iron age pottery, lots of animal bones and 2 baby burials. The
excavations is led by the BHAS Field Unit Archaeological Secretary
Pete Tolhurst.
BHAS have a full winter programme with lectures,
finds processing, day schools and walks or visits to places of interest.
The BHAS field unit is open to anyone with an interest in
archaeology, no previous experience is required, all training will be
given. For further details apply to the membership section or contact
either Pete Tolhurst at archsec@brightonarch.org.uk
or John Funnell at co-ordinator@brightonarch.org.uk
for more details
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