Founded 1906
Archaeology Report Autumn 2011
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Selected Articles from the BHAS Bi-Annual magazine "Flint" Autumn 2011
Rocky Clump 2011 The new season at Rocky Clump began in April. The focus of excavations has now moved to the south field where it is hoped that evidence for the settlement, associated with the working activities found in the north field, can be found. A study of the geophysical survey conducted in the south field was made and a total of 5 trenches were planned to investigate a number of resistivity anomalies. The first trench to be opened, trench 2, came down onto natural chalk and was quickly back filled. The second trench, trench 1, revealed a very large feature, disappearing into the baulk on all four sides. The trench was extended on all sides until it was felt there was an area that could effectively be ¡investigated in one season. The top soil layer, and that immediately below, produced numerous sherds of pottery, clearly indicating lots of activity. Some of the pottery appears to be lron Age in fabric, something to be confirmed in post excavation. lt was decided to split the large area into 1 metre squares, as this would allow the maximum amount of detail to be recorded ¡n the numerous sections. The initial sondages cut clearly indicated a complex stratigraphy. The whole area is producing considerable amounts of pottery with some locations obviously containing concentrations of individual broken pots. Butchered bone has also been found and some interesting flint work, including a barbed and tanged arrow head. A number of special finds have been revealed by both digging and metal detecting. Among the finds are a Roman coin, a bronze ring, from the lower depths of one of the sondages, and a curious object that may be part of a medieval belt end or purse frame. The finds are to be examined by the Sussex Finds Liaison Officer (FLO).
lt would appear that the excavations have revealed a very large rubbish midden, consisting of a number of intercepting pits. The curved section on the north side of the excavation was eagerly anticipated as being a possible terrace for a round house, but it appears that the location of the settlement is still waiting to be found. One curious feature is a squared sided gully that runs around the collection of pits. lt is possible that it held beam slotted timber uprights, but as yet no evidence has been found for the beams themselves. Another feature is a large concentration of mussel shells. The mussels are marine which along with the numerous oyster shells found show how food was obtained from seaside locations. Another feature has been a number of pieces of cremated bone. The excavations this year have been interesting in showing that the website is obviously working and that advertising in the archaeological magazine Current Archaeology is also a major recruitment agency. The excavations have had people join the society, and work at the dig, from France, Sweden, Spain, Australia and Russia, quite an international excavation. John Funnell
BHAS Outreach 2011 has once again seen members of the Society out and about promoting archaeology and the role of this Society. One of the main purposes of the activity is to show the public that they can become actively involved in digging, field walking and all the other aspects of the archaeological environment within the Society resources. This year the focus has been at Michelham Priory. ln May quite a number of the membership assisted with displays of finds, mainly pottery and its identification and use for dating purposes. The new displays created by Fran Briscoe are very bold and colourful and draw in the crowds. lt was a busy week-end with ample refreshments provided by the Sussex Archaeological Society. On 28th May, Carol White and Hayley Forsyth (together with Alex Derry, a member of the Young Archaeologists Club) presented a display of animal bones at the Lewes Castle event Raise the awareness of the Battle of Lewes. The public enjoyed handling the bones and attempting to identify the species and bones. Activity sheets relating to animal bone were provided for children. Members of the society returned to Michelham in July for the National Archaeology event, and this time provided two tables - David Worsell - finds processing with some washing of flint pieces from the excavations at Peacehaven; Carol and Alex again presented animal bones discussing with the public how the bones are identified to species and bone and explaining the knowledge that can be gained from analysis of bones and comparison to similar sites. These days are extremely useful in making the public aware of the work of the society, but are also a very enjoyable day out for the field unit and its supporters giving a relaxing break away from the busy excavations. The Society also encourages the Sussex Weald Branch of the Young Archaeologists Club, and members of this Club attend excavations for two of their meetings each year. Carol and Hayley are both leaders of the local YAC.
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