Thirty-four ISSN 0307 2568 Sussex August 1981 Archreological Edited by Dr Sue Farrant. Society 36 Brangwyn Drive, Patcham, Brighton BN1 8XD Published by the Society at Barbican House, High Street. Newsletter Lewes

THE OPENING OF THE STONE AGE AND BRONZE and its location in the building. This finally made it AGE ROOMS AT OUR MUSEUM OF SUSSEX possible to look with some degree of confidence for ARCHA:OlOGY material needed for new displays or which researchers On Saturday, 2nd May (on the day of the Society's expected to find in the Museum. AGM), Professor Cunliffe, our President, formally opened the newly refurbished rooms in Barbican House, Lewes. Professor Cunliffe paid tribute to the meticulous work of the museum's Curator, Miss Fiona Marsden and her helpers. The attractive, colourful and very interesting displays are weillit and easily seen by adults and children. In conjunction with the Iron Age and Roman Rooms (which Miss Marsden tackled first) these new displays offer a lively interpretation of the archreology of our county. Congratulations to Miss Mesolithic transchet axe on display Marsden and her helpers for excellent work. The archreological theme of the Newsletter is in honour At about this stage, in 1974, with the formation of the of this event. Sussex Archreological Field Unit, and the prospect of greatly increased numbers of archreological finds being THE NEW EXTENSION AT BARBICAN HOUSE made in Sussex, there again seemed some possibility A major phase in the reorganisation of Barbican House that the Museum might be bypassed in the distribution is nearing completion. An extension has been built in of important site material. There were also likely to be the Museum's backyard near the Barbican, mainly for considerable problems in accepting and accommodating storage and workspace; it was made possible by the such material if it were offered. By now, however, we bequest by I. D. Margary. The Curator, Miss Fiona were in a much better position to estimate the Marsden describes the history of the project. Museum's real storage requirements and Phase III was abandoned in favour of a less costly project to renovate IMPROVEMENTS TO MUSEUM STORAGE and greatly increase the storage capacity of the FACILITIES AT BARBICAN HOUSE Barbican House cellars which began in 1977-78. With the expansion of archreology as a university Effectively it involved lowering and damp proofing the subject in the later 1960s and a tendency for floor, improving ventilation to counteract dampness in researchers and students to want to re-examine old the walls and installing a system of Remploy mobile excavation finds it was becoming increasingly clear that racking that resulted in a four-fold increase in shelf the Society's methods of looking after this material left space. A gra nt from the Area Museum Service for South much to be desired. Though evasive tactics were often East England defrayed approximately 40 per cent of the effective in deferring the students, more direct external cost of this shelving. The material in the cellar is now pressures such as the unwillingness of some archreo­ organised in alphabetical order of sites and comprises logists to donate finds from important local sites to the the flints, bones and sherds - the bulk of any excavation Museum were beginning to make themselves felt. For finds - which do not require careful handling or a this reason improved storage provision did feature in controlled environment. Almost all are now reboxed in plans for extensions to the Museum in the early 1970s standard 12in x 12in x 8in containers, tailored to fit the but only as a Phase III whose realisation seemed very racking, while washing marking and registering of remote at a time when the funding of Phase 1- now the material that past excavators failed to process properly Roman Room - was precarious. However, a modest still continues, principally through the efforts of Beryl programme of self help, aimed merely at sorting and Darby. Present day excavators should note that we now re-boxing the material piled at random in the damp expect much higher standards from them and material cellars at Barbican House did soon get under way, coming into the Museum should be clean, marked and thanks largely to the efforts of Philip Burstow, the then well organised. Chairman of the Museum Committee and earlier a very A further opportunity to carry out some of the active pa rticipa nt in ma ny of the excavations represented improvements to the Museum's storage and workroom by the stored material. Gradually these efforts gained facilities, originally envisaged in the plans at the early momentum - new boxes required some form of 1970s as Phases I and II came with the generous shelving, the shelving started to displace accumulated bequest of Mr. I. D. Margary in 1976. Once again the Society junk which had found its way into the cellar and Museum's actual needs were reassessed and it has finally it was possible to give the area a thorough clean. been possible to restrict building work to a modest Meanwhile two new volunteers, Marion and Ken extension running northwards behind the Roman Suckling, had arrived on the scene and gradually Room, parallel to the workroom, and to the remodelling managed to list the entire contents of the cellar and of the workroom itself. The principle material still other storage areas of the Museum and to organise a requiring more suitable storage provision were the much needed cross referenced index of site material archreological 'small finds' - basically objects liable to

239 deteriorate in a damp atmosphere or too small or delicate to box up with flints and sherds in the cellar - and also the Society's extensive and increasingly varied collections of negatives. Until recently small finds were stored mainly below display cabinets where they had survived fairly well, but were difficult to get at when the Museum was crowded with visitors. The negatives were divided between a small room beside the library and overflowing cupboards in one of the attics with a mounting pile of reference prints and transcripts of catalogues accumulating on an office floor. Meanwhile the Museum workroom was not suited to its various uses including carpentry workshop and research room.

The new extension therefore comprises four small Early Bronze Age axehead in the nev. gallery rooms suited to specific needs; an archffiological small finds store, a negative store, a dark room and a small ARCHtEOLOGY IN WEST SUSSEX: laboratory. In both storerooms provision has been made THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S INVOLVEMENT IN 1980 for those either cataloguing or researching the collections to work in the rooms themselves but all The provision of a replacement radio mast within the cabinets and cupboards can be individually locked so existing compound on the west side of the hillfort on the that there is no unrestricted access to the entire Trundle allowed for a small excavation in January contents of each room. The negative store is also which, after clearing topsoil under a light fall of snow, designed to accommodate all reference prints, cata­ revealed a ditch terminal of the Neolithic causeway logues and card indexes relevant to the photographic enclosure previously investigated by Curwen in 1928 collections. The adjoining dark room provides an (see SAC 70 1929 pp. 33-85 Plate II Section SDCI). The opportunity both to make contact prints from the excavation prod uced anoth er section of the ditch a nd an negatives on the premises and to develop photographs important collection of dateable pottery and animal of museum objects taken for the purposes of bone, as well as soil samples to complement the cataloguing. Though these activities are rather depen­ environmental evidence recorded by Curwen. Also dent on the talents of volunteers the Museum has discovered was a more recent rubbish pit full of bottles proved fortunate so far in attracting people able and and saucepans which may well date to the time of willing to do this work and it seemed worthwhile to Curwen's camp on the site which is nicely recorded in provide the relevant facilities. Rather similar thinking the Society's photographic collection in Barbican lay behind the provision of a laboratory. Though in House' practise the room concerned serves pri ncipa IIy for basic During the first half of the year the Weald and Downland washing and marking of finds and simple pottery Open Air Museum, with help from the County Council restoration, more ambitious conservation work cou Id be and a Margary Research Award from the Society, carried out should the skills become available. dismantled a Medieval and 17th century cottage at In the area of the old workroom the opportunity has been Walderton, near Stoughton, for immediate re-erection taken to relocate and modernise the staff catering at Singleton. The project, filmed by a BBC TV Chronicle facilities which are now closer to the custodian's desk team for screening later this, or early next, year, and can be reached by a newly opened corridor leading produced evidence to show how a Medieval timber­ past the fireplace immediately behind the desk. Those framed open- hall house, of which only the roof survived, who have enjoyed the hospitality of the Museum in the was re-'used and underpinned in brick and flint soon primitive conditions of the old 'tea room' will readily after 1600 AD. Despite aIterations made to the house by appreciate the clean surroundings, modern sink, successive generations, it was remarkable that sufficient kitchen units, fridge and central heating. Internal survived to show architectural detail of the two main alterations have restored some natural light, lost by the periods of construction, including plastered brick construction of the new rooms, and opens up an window mullions of the later house and the position of attractive view of the Barbican. the wooden mullions of the main windows opening into Meanwhile with the creation of all the new specialist the hall of the earlier house. An archffiological working areas the workroom is able to revert to its excavation continued to reveal evidence down to the principal function as an area for light carpentry and underlying natural gravel and a series of successive other work involved in the setting up of new museum floor surfaces including, in order of excavation, displays. linoleum, 19th century brick paviors, 17th century brick Effectively therefore the construction of the new paviors, and Medieval puddled chalk and clay. Three extension during 1980 and early 1981 formed a final distinct pottery groups include vessels produced in the phase in a programme of reorganisation of the storage Chichester and Graffham kilns, and documentary and workroom facilities which has been planned and research has revealed the descent of the ownership of carried out in response to the Museum's developing the property from at ieast 1614 to the present day. needs over the past decade. There remain many areas Visitors to Singleton Museum can now see the cottage where improvements still need to be made, notably in being rebuilt as well as the recently completed the storage of restored and whole pots and in the Lurgashall watermill and the Boarhunt cruck cottage. organisation and provision of museum records but it is Two sites excavated by the Sussex Archffiological Field hoped that the old days of disorder are now largely a Unit this year were undertaken as a direct result of the thing of the past. Perhaps the one regret of all those who study of aerial photographs at County Hall. At Dving, took part in the long drawn out cleaning and listing of near Chichester, an extensive Iron Age/ Romano-British objects and moving of boxes between cellar and attic is settlement area is one of very few so far identified on the that no-one thought to take photographs of what it used coastal plain and as it includes 'farmstead' enclosures, to be like. Fiona Marsden fieldways and field boundaries it looks as if it could keep

240 for a few seasons to come. At of a roughly circular ditched enclosure in The County Council continues its nvolvement in the of the site of the Romano-Celtic first windmill restoration a nd four schemes received support discovered in the 1820s but later (see SAC during the year. The tower mill at Halnaker, restored as a 1141976 p. led to a re-examination of the site and la has sails fitted and the smock this revealed a u probable Iron mill at Shipley, which celebrated its centenary in 1 Age, shrine a the remai ns of the temole a nd an has been repainted and repaired to full working order. encircling 'temenos' g set with The post-mill at full unrecorded sites are continually restoration to worki ng of aerial and the results of undertaken Mid-Sussex District own the Royal Commission in the dry summer of 1 post-mill at is stabilised studied for the first time, and the County and Preservation Society. air survey of the whole in The continued its involvement with the likely to add considerably to our fund of Chalk Pits Museum, at which is fast becoming the Industrial Centre for the South- The year has seen the of several East of and in addition to spnnC::/"H conservation and the commencement of MSC scheme which has enabled the others. The South Downs Preservation Trust have now full-time team of workers in the Museum, the County the clearance of trees and scrub from the has been di involved in the and barrow cemeteries at the Devi/'s movement of exhibits which have included: a narrow and on Down. Both sites are now laid gauge industrial railway from Thakeham tileworks; the to grass and a warden has been nted to tollhouse from the old Littlehampton swing an maintain them. The two sites lie the South shed and ne, also from Little- Downs Way and are well worth a visit since several items related to including a clearance has up new views from the Downs vat from the Sussex Brewerv at Emsworth; and several north. clearance has also been the nting machines. theme of the County Council's at Church Norton, of the referred to coluntary where dead elms have been felled and the site and a list of these and many others are included in West laid to grass. The of old trenches led to the Sussex County Council's realisation that the site had been the of 'Cou voluntary labour', excavations in 1911 and 1965. The results of these are available free at the County Planning to appear in a volume of SAC but it is clear Hall, Chichester and at West Sussex libraries. from the pottery that the site was for a short from about 1050 to Fred A Ids worth Planning Han Chichester. a nd that it was almost certa an ea Norman ri castle which once a stone SUSSEX COASTAL PLAIN PROJECT tower or keep. It was probably erected soon after 1066 to by Owen Bedwin control the entrance into Harbour. The Environment has The Shoreham Fort restoration by the settlement, the County Council as one in the Manpower Services economy, and of the of the Commission's Job Creation me, has been Coastal Plain in West Sussex, 1000 BC to AD 1000. The having run for two years. Most of the work background to the is as much of the work has involved the restoration of the gun and the on Sussex sites of this period has been done on the chalk surrounding wall and, in the absence of inal of the Sussex Downs. It is clear, that further drawings, these were rebuilt evidence on the site work on these often heavily by and two old As ht have been is becoming less a an nal drawing came to light in the and attention is therefore turned to the Coastal Public Record Office a few months after the Plain. the work! A This fertile area has considerable settlement but it is also an area in which sites are difficult to find and excavate. For the 1 years to the the contemporary fort at being Roman conquest, few settlement sites are known, and cleared of scrub by local volunteers, is to appear in the one priority will be to locate more of these, and to Collections. the factors which influence their their economy, Restoration has commenced on and, if to some idea of the settlement brick kiln on Ebernoe Common heirarchv. A start has been made with the . with the of an Iron settlement enclosure at Sussex Trust for Nature Conservation. The kiln is an and further work is planned here. unusual survival and dates to about 1800 In the Roman the between villas and on the site may go back at least as settlements will be examined, and it is far as 1702. Initial clearance has been undertaken to excavate one of the villas for which Sussex is the Haslemere Archc.eoloaical Group and a scheme for noted. Little is known about the settlement of the considered. Coastal Plain from the end of the Roman to flour is produced AD 1 and so the excavation of a si site of this turbine-driven stones in a watermill restored by the would be worthwhile. and at the Coultershaw Mil/the The Coastal Plain project is under the nt direction of Sussex Industrial are the Owen Bedwin (1000 BC-AD and David Rudling of the scheme to restore the 18th century 43-1 both of the Institute of 31­ pump which orovided Petworth with a reaular water London WC 1 H OPY.

241 · There will be an excavation at the Iron Down 17720661) enclosure at Oving in late this year Excavation revealed a corner of the Romano-British directed bv Dr Bedwin. found then in the 19th century. This structure survived only to the extent of one or two courses of mortared flint Adjacent to this SUSSEX ARCHJeOlOGICAl FIELD UNIT and on the same ment, were the remains of EXCAVATIONS 1980 a small wooden structure, c. 3.5m across, and a four­ 877 111) sided square gully, 4m in diameter, encircling it. This A small excavation was undertaken to the erection unusual structure was a late Iron shrine, of a new microwave aerial inside the Trundle. A definitive dating evidence was lacking. Also undisturbed section of Neolithic ditch was excavated. located was a oval temenos ditch ru round The rather irregular ditch was a maximum of 1 the temole area. Owen Bedwin It contained Neolithic pottery, i upper part of a carinated bowl with a Bullock Down, Eastbourne (TV 5797 Three of carved chalk were fou As part of a M Settlement 68 of struck flint. Molluscan section was excavated and the modern field that the enclosure was constructed in a to the south of it was field-walked. Finds from the but extensivelv. cleared area. Owen Bedwin included flintwork and the late Bronze to Roman. A similar range of artefacts from the field-wal here (SU 786 additional discoveries included a sherd of trench 1 metre wide was across the ware, two sherds of Beaker pottery and a small ditch of Bevis's Thumb long barrow to obtain of Medieval sherds. David R. dating and environmental evidence. The ditch was 1.42 metres Neolithic pottery similar to that from A building of unknown date was also the Trundle was found in orimarv levels. Peter Drewett with three trenches. These trenches located substa ntial No dating evidence was found. The site may Belle Tout, Eastbourne 560 represent a timber oxen Of bullock of A small excavation was carried out at a conspicuous gap date. Peter Drewett 5611 in the earthwork at Belle Tout. Two ditch terminals. 1.20 metres were revealed. A North Street, Winchelsea section was cut h the bank, a si dump Excavation revealed traces of four Medieval tenements, rampart with a buried land surface beneath. The finds all of which had been from this plus those from the 1979 work ng. A variety of building TV 5561 consisted wholly of flint (aoart from two encountered, including the use of Medieval sherds and six of walls, and sill-beams. One of the Owen Bedwin had a central hearth made of low 'Flemish' bricks. Two drains were discovered running at a to U 822 122 and 824 1 the street and it is that these lie on across the tenement bou ndaries. David R. II long barrows to obtain dating and environmental evidence. Winchelsea 9009 1704 to 9030 The ditch of I was 80cm a nd that of A watching brief was on the line of an 60cm deep. Peter Drewett cable between a new motel the and the Childrens' round, Lane. The cable trench cut across the presumed lines of the two systems West Harting U 786 of town defences constructed the of The excavation of this nine-barrow nucleated cemetery Edward I, the other relating to a redefence of the town in was with the total excavation of barrows 1414), but in both cases no traces of any wall or post­ V-IX Barrow VI was a double-ditched barrow with a low holes were discovered. The trench also crossed parts of central sand mound covering a burial pit containing Quarters XXI and XXII but n no definite of any cremated bone and a smashed pot. Barrows V, VII, VIII walls or buildinas were observed. David R. a nd IX were all ditchless turf stacks. Barrow VI covered a ng five urns. Three other urns were in a primary context and one buried well up GARDEN HILL, EAST SUSSEX in the body of the turf stack. The cu rrent dates ra nge for of 1980 Excavations the cemetery as indicated C-14 dates is 21 00-1450 Be. Work on the late Romano-British fenced enclosure at Peter Drewett the S.E. corner of the settlement was (SU 895 ng of contained broken stone mortars. A This site was identified from aerial. well was discovered and partly excavated. Stratified reveal three ditched enclosures (or enclosure Romano-British deposits were found in the Iron c. 1km apart, linked by ditched Area which may excavation (30m x 25m) of one enclosure revealed part was tully excavated and recorded. An of a late Iron settlement h a little Roma n Iron round- which had been mutilated the features found was a substantial Romano-British and later disturbances, was re­ enclosure ditch with at least two re-cuts, part of an Iron examined and new details of its structure established. round and a working area with a of Portable finds included flint Romano- small post holes. Trial of the other two British pottery, and vessels, iron enclosures dated one to the Roma n but the other ments and nai sandstone mortars and was not dated. Owen Bedwin Niedermendia lava quern. At the west end of the hill-fort a magnetometer survey squares rather than individual plotting was selected as by Dr A. J . Clark detected anomalies, which he providing the best balance between accuracy of interpreted variously as furnaces, hearths, pits, localisation, and speed of excavation, in view of the fact occupation areas and pieces of iron. In a final excavation that all artifacts above the white sand surface must have immediately behind the western defences, the most been displaced to some extent by animal action. interesting discovery was a dense scatter of .flints, In an attempt to measure the extent to which animal including waste flakes and a fine leaf-shaped arrow­ disturbance could have moved artifacts, an experi­ head. J. A10ney mental programme was begun at the end of the season's excavations. Broken kitchen tiles were buried in measured localisations at different depths in two separate square metres during backfilling. Pieces of these can be watched for during excavation of the surrounding area in future years, and it is planned to re-excavate the two localisations in two and five years time respectively. During excavation, an estimated 10,000 artifacts were recovered, with again wet sieving to a mesh size of just under 3mm. This richness is certainly a consequence of the use of wet sieving, comparison with dry sieving to the same mesh size having shown the latter to be much less efficient. Analysis of this material is still in progress, but the tool assemblage seems to be Late Bronze Age axehead not yet on display at the Museum dominated by microliths, predominantly obliquely blunted, with few other formal tools. So far no axes or FURTHER EXPLORATIONS AT THE ROCKS axe trimming flakes have been recognised. EARLY MESOLITHIC SITE, UCKFIELD, Detailed surface collection was carried out over an area EAST SUSSEX by M. F. Hemingway of 975 square metres around the excavation, with Following the promising indications furnished by the collection in marked squares with 5 metre sides. All but preliminary explorations at the Rocks and reported in nine of the 39 marked squares produced artifacts, with a these pages last yearl , further work was undertaken in clear relationship between absence of finds and July 19802 Work began on the 29th June, and absence of molehills in these squares. Informal continued until the 29th July. During the first fortnight collection indicates that Mesolithic material occurs over heavy rain prevented work on two days. and restricted an area in excess of 10,000 square metres. All the the depth to which excavation could take place without material so far recovered in surface collection, and all flooding for most of the period. A complete turn round in the excavated material seem to belong to a single period the weather in the middle of the month compensated for of occupation in the early Mesolithic. these difficulties, and allowed the planned work to be Work at Uckfield is being extended in two directions. At completed. the Rocks itself, it is hoped that detailed excavation work The trench opened in 1979 (B 1-B4) was reopened, and can continue both on the Rocks Fields, and in the extended a further 5 metres to the east (B5-B9). A shelters behind them, where excavation in 1979, and further 3 squaie metres were opened at right angles to surface collection in 1980, indicated the presence of this trench (ZZ3-C3), giving a total of 12 square metres Mesolithic material. By studying artifact localisations it of excavation. Once dry enough, excavation in Bl-4 was is hoped that the pattern of activity on the site can be continued below the bottom of the 1979 trench. When interpreted, and microwear studies are being carried out excavation had stopped in 1979, one or two patches of as an adjunct to this. On a larger scale, studies of the white sand had been recognised, on which material geomorphological and environmental history of the seemed to be concentrated, and it was suggested that valley have begun, together with the analysis of other the occupation level had been on top of this white sand, archCEological collections from the surrounding area 3 and in situ material could be hoped for. Deepening of The next season of excavations will be in Aug ust 1981 , the excavation showed that a clear sedimentary change and anyone who would like to assist with these should took place at this level, with a change from humic grey contact me via Downing College, Cambridge. sand to a pure white sand, but that the surface of the white sand had been extensively 'gullied' by the Notes: burrowing of moles and particularly rabbits, with presumably some displacement of artifacts. That the 1 Preliminary explorations at the Rocks, Uckfield, East occupation had probably been at the surface of the white Sussex. Sussex Archceological Newsletter 31 sand could be confirmed, with the finding of level (August 1980) 209-210. scatters on the undisturbed ridges, a concentration of 2 For financial assistance I am again indebted to the pieces in the spit of grey sand above the sedimentary Margary Research Fund for a grant of £200. Further break, and a drastic reduction in the number of pieces in financial and material aid was provided by Mr and the underlying white sand. Of the pieces found in the Mrs G. E. C. Hemingway, Seaford; Fuller & Askew white sand, several were in burrow walls. and others Ltd., Lewes; Feedback Data Ltd., Uckfield; ESCC clearly associated with root casts. Planning Dept.; Feltham School; Hall & Watts, Watford; and Mr I. Brooker, Uckfield. In the newly opened squares, once the turf was removed 3 At present this work is concerned with Mesolithic excavation continued in 10 centimetre spits, and material surface collected from Isfield village, and subdivisions with sides of 25cm, giving 16 to the square Mesolithic and Neolithic material collected by Ian metre, so as to provide greater relative localisations for Brooker and Nick Kerwin from Bird Eye, Uckfield. the pieGes found as a preliminary to the plotting of distributions of different artifact types. The use of

243 THE LAVANT CAVES by E, W, Holden Miss M. the Group decided to field-walk the Mr Timothy McCann's note about Charles Dawson's area. After ng and allowing time for man report now in West Sussex Record a We a line of 30m x 30m Office should be useful to those who squares. flint artifacts and the sources of the raw materials,l It Nineteen volunteers took part in remains to be seen, however, as to what value it has if ensured a total coverage of the we are to believe the writers of an article called 'The supply of blast-furnace Piltdown then very much in the 'nace, the field was free from news.2 Dawson's copyino of another author's other intrusive material. Flint does not occur naturally in was discussed, to be this district. so all flint found on site was collected and 'A accusation of u mel was later It can be assumed that all flint fragments are made of Dawson's work in connection with the contemporary with the struck flakes, for there is no excavation of the Lavant Caves. From this source he reason to believe that any flint was introduced to this had produced some finds which had struck everyone site at a later date. as very singular. A later ng to At the ti me of n9 out the it was considered that it and these curious discoveries. would cover the area in which the flints had been found alleged. with that the records of the work quite satisfactorily. In the event this to be were i to the point of being useless.' incorrect. I n the following the field-walk some of A sentiment that will su the volunteers collected a considerable quantity of agree should not be confined solely to Dawson's flakes to the west of the gridded area. Accurate plotting records. was not as these finds were made without the may. however, be helpful to draw attention to aid of a be attributed to the two references to the so-called caves additional to those areas B 1 n. Mr McCann Research into flint-mines made mited conclusions can be reached on the basis of litth· progress in Sussex before the 1 the material collected. work in the 19th century. and heads alone are truly and, if they are was limited in 1893 when Dawson carried out his contemporary with the other fli nt work, then the site can excavations, so that he should not be blamed for not be in the Neolithic or Early Bronze understa the function of the 'Caves'. The late Dr E there does seem to have been some mesolithic activity Cecil Curwen, of Sussex on this site, either as an earlier occu or as a to the Lavant Caves 'These considerations make contemporary influence. This mesolithic presence is me feel lIy certain that the 'caves were flint­ ndicated by a number of blades and blade of mines, similar to those at the other two a type normally associated with the mesolithlc period sites of Stoke Down and Bow Hill .. .'3 He was which were found near the area. As the bulk of various theories put forward by A. Hadrian Allcroft, the utilised flint-work seems to have been used which included that the domestically scrapers, knives, and awls for leather- alternatives were untenable in view of recent flint-mine and as many of the tools must have been made on to judge the cores and waste flakes, it the 'caves' as mines in his may be concluded that the site was at least semi­ first Sussex which has an permanent rather than a temporary sub-heading to II. 'The Flint Mines', The presence of two arrow-heads below: suggests some contact with an artisan flint-worker He breaketh open a shaft away from where men outside the resident group. As none of the other tools found on site shows the same of man forth his hand upon the rocks skill or advanced tech it is He cutteth out passages among the rocks, arrow-heads were somewhere on the Downs And his eye seeth every and brouaht to the site as trade Job(R Warbleton and District History MOBILE SITE OFFICE AND STORE With the aid of a generous of f1 20 from the 1981 Bank Fund for Lewes 58 (191 ical Group have been able to purchase the mobile site hut that have had on loan on their site at 5 E. Cecil Curwen, Prehistoric (London 1929) Norton for the past two years. 15; and see his The of Sussex, 2nd ed. The hut has a caravan 16 feet 1 121. and is fitted with a full-length window shutters. It is at present being repainted, the FIELD WALK, OAKLEY FI WARBLETON system is being overhauled and it will be fitted 6241 with a system to comply with towing Field lies 399 metres to the west regulations. On the of the Norton survey of Rushlake Green, in the of Warbleton. The site about the end of July, the Lewes eastwards to a small stream. The soil is mai are to loan the hut free of with some clay, and forms part of the established groups, who must be Beds. own towi ng but some assista nce towards The Warbleton and District History became this cost may be available. interested in the site when various worked flakes and For further to Mr. V. Horne. Hon. cores were found in the field. When a good example of a 5 Ferrers Road, Lewes, East Sussex arrow-head was discovered Lewes 3103).

244 OUSE VALLEY DESERTED MEDIEVAL VILLAGE which had become dispersed and spread throughout the SURVEY HAMSEY (TQ 414122) M. J. Allen parish. The population was redistributed, and the new The Lewes Archawlogical Group is conducting a survey centres became Offham and Cooksbridge, both situated of the deserted/ shrunken Medieval villages and on the main London to Lewes Road. In AD 1859 a new farmsteads of the Ouse valley. The project excludes parish church was erected at Offham thus depriving excavation and emphasis is placed on fieldwork and Hamsey of any importance it still held. Hamsey survives historical documented evidence. Fieldwork includes a today as a solitary church dominating a small knoll in physical survey, field-walking, botanical survey and typical rural Sussex countryside. photography. Documentary evidence is used to reveal The research and detailed analysis of the settlement of both historical and industrial aspects of each village. Hamsey is the subject of a report (to be) published in The first village that has been studied was Hamsey, June by the Lewes Archaeological Group. which is approximately 1'12 kilometres north of Lewes. The Medieval village was situated on the chalk meander References core which rises over 8 metres above the alluvial flats of Burliegh, G. R. 1973 'An Introduction to Deserted the River Ouse. The knoll, which is dominated by S1. Medieval Villages in East Sussex', in Sx. Arch. Call, Peter's Old Church, provides an ideal site for occupation 111 , p.6q. as it is protected from the surrounding lowlying water Holden, E. W . 1962 'Deserted Medieval Villages', in Sx. meadows which are subject to flooding. Notes & Queries, 15, p.314. The physical survey revealed very little: no platforms, Horsfield, T. W. 1835 'The History, Antiquaries and ditches, banks, terraces or other physical indications of Topography of the County of Sussex', Vol. 1, p.335. evidence for a settlement could be identified. Deterio­ ration of the site has been largely due to agricultural BRONZE AGE METALWORK AT STEYNING erosion; in c. AD 1777 the ruins of the manor house were still visible (Horsfield 1835), in 1962 Holden wrote In the last week of May 1981, a major hoard of late 'only vague bumps making no certain pattern could be Bronze Age metalwork was found at Clays Field, seen' (Burliegh 1973). Although fieldwork revealed Steyning, T018171 072 in the course of earth moving comparatively little, work in other spheres has enabled for an artificial lake. Approximately 120 pieces of bronze us to construct a comprehensive view of the village; its metalwork (some fragmentary) have so far been establishment, economy, growth and final desertion, recovered, consisting of a socketed axe, a large number and a hypothesis has been produced for its decline and of spearheads, spear fittings, two chisels, two knives desertion. and some ornamental trappings. Of particular interest are eight unusual broad bladed barbed spearheads, indicative of a late metal working tradition called the Broadward complex, dating to approximately 900­ 700 BC . Similar hoards have been found in the Welsh Marches, Wessex and the Thames Valley, and this important find, the first of its type in Sussex, will revise the known pattern of distribution. It is hoped that some fieldwork will be possible on the site, which is privately owned, and that the finds will be deposited in Worthing Museum. A more detailed account of the find will appear in the December issue of the Newsletter. E. Kelly, Worthing Museum

PIDDINGHOE KILN The brick built kiln stands in a private garden but is visible from the road on the north side of Piddinghoe at TO 434033. Built in 1800, it is the last remaining Hamsey Church structure of the Piddinghoe brick and tile industry and was last fired in 1912. It is the only kiln of its type in the South East of England. Hamsey was not occupied in prehistory because the whole area was much wetter than today. A settlement The Kiln was deteriorating and has now been was, however, established by the late Saxon period and dismantled and rebuilt, it was 'topped' on 16th April. An was, as it has always been, a predominantly agricultural illustrated article by Mr E. O'Shea will be published in one. The settlement and economy remained virtually Sussex Industrial History in January 1982 and it is unchanged through the Norman period, when the first hoped that offprints in a suitable cover will be produced masonary church was erected. From c. AD 1200 until for sale. The 25 volunteers who worked on the project c. AD 1400 the settlement grew and flourished under were mostly members of the Lewes Archaeological the ownership of the de Say's, from whom Hamsey took Group. its suffix: Hamm-Say. It was during this period that a From the Lewes Archaeological Group's Newsletter masonary hall was added to the manor house, and the No. 56 (May 1981) a nd their Chairman's Report of 31 st church was extensively enlarged. This period was the March 1981. acme of the settlement and from then on it suffered Some members of the Lewes Archaeological Group are decline. The decline continued due to a number of digging to the rear of the medieval hall house which is reasons, among them agricultural change and isolation adjacent to Uckfield railway station and under threat due to lack of communication routes. The settlement from the Uckfield by-pass proposal. The same group is became deserted and by c. AD 1600 was no longer a also conducting a survey at Norton near Seaford which nucleated village clustered around the church, but one they hope to complete this summer when a resistivity

245 survey may be conducted on what is thought to be the SOCIAL EVENTS undercroft of Bishopstone Place (by Bishopstone Church). Near Denton Church (near Newhaven) the group will measure medieval walls. A Saxon well and FIRST HISTORICAL CONFERENCE walls which might be Saxon have been found in Denton. The Society's First Historical Conference, on 18th From the L.A.G .'s Chairman's Report 31 st March 1981. century Sussex, held at Lewes Priory Middle School on 4th April, attracted 280 people. Dr Colin Brent took the Sue Farrant chair, and lectures were given by Dr Sue Farrant. Mr Alan Readman, Dr Emlyn Thomas, Mr John Farrant, Dr THE CARYll FAMilY HOUSE, AT COMPTON, Tim Hudson, Dr Richard Saville, and Mr David Martin. WEST SUSSEX Here follows a summary. Mr John Hosking, of East Harting, has reported the The county suffered a decline, both absolute, and discovery of the site of a small mansion in the area now relative to the rest of the country, continuing from the known as Ladyholt Park. Using evidence from aerial 17th century until new seaside resorts, and the French photographs, taken by the RAF in 1947, excavations to Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, occasioned an the south of the present dwelling, in the area centred economic upturn. Although people suffered distress, life SU 7543 1655, have revealed flint and chalk foundations improved slowly. of a building measuring 31 .2 metres north-south by The small, and poverty-stricken, population near the 11.8 metres east-west. A circle of flint. about 30 metres iron-works, providing little local demand for finished in diameter, to the north is thought to be the remains of a goods, together with appalling roads, and no canals, circular approach drive. hindering exports, and inadequate banking in a town The house appears to have been little more than a such as Horsham, prevented investment in the new fa r mstead which the Caryll family enlarged as a small technology which was now available elsewhere, from mansion when they moved to the site following the being applied to the Wealden iron industry. The chief death of tenant farmer,Peter Mee in 1688. Associated source of capital for ironworks' 'campaigns' was with the house was a large park which is shown on government contracts for cannon and shot. but only several 18th century maps. The house appears to have during the century's wars. The same wars endangered been taken down soon after it had been sold, with the coastal trade in civilian finished goods. Harting Estate, to Sir Mathew Featherstonehaugh in Horsham evinced the decline from its fast growth in 1767. The present dwelling, known as 'Ladyholt', may earlier centuries. Until towards the end of the century it incorporate the remains of an original brewhouse. was isolated by poor communications, which, however, F. G. Aldsworth allowed its corn and poultry market to survive competition from other market towns; while its cattle market, founded in 1703, failed. Quarter sessions and biennial assizes provided incidental trade. The borough had become the pawn of parliamentary election-rigging, so it was the parish authorities who proved more effective in providing a few services. Wars produced deserted dependents. Parish overseers did their best to relieve the distress of both permanent paupers, such as the elderly, and the seasonal poor, unemployed in the winter. Their help was often practical, providing medicines, trustees for injured workers, tools essential for a trade, and materials for house building. Large landowners improved farms en their estates, and extended credit for years at a time to industrious but impoverished tenants. Centuries of tradition in timber-framed building, gave way to the demands for unobstructed surfaces, imposed by plasterwork, making for lighter and cleaner dwellings even for the poor. But in a stagnating town such as Horsham, such improvements were much less notice­ Offham Church able than they were elsewhere. Up to 1750, good harvests caused a glut in corn, and IS IT THE CAUSEWAYED CAMP? consequently, poverty, in what was predominantly a In a view of Offham Church which is in the Reeves rural county. The Weald suffered from acidic, cold, damp Collection, Offham Hill is visible to the left (or south side) soils; whereas the Scarp-foot, the Downs, and the of the church. The view was taken before quarrying had Coastal Plain were able to support crops diversifiable in reached its present extent and Miss Marsden the response to fluctuations in the market and they had Curator of the Museum of Sussex Archffiology wonders access via the lower courses of the rivers, and the sea, to whetherthe banks and ditches which can be seen on the markets in neighbouring counties. Agricultural improve­ hill are part of the Neolithic enclosure which was ments were introduced on larger estates; but capital for subsequently quarried away. Mr P. Drewett's excavation machinery or drainage was unavailable to the small report is in the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society farmers on the Weald. Volume 43 (1977) and includes a plan of the remaining Eventually, turnpikes eased communications from the site. coast northwards, and also East-West across the The reference for the photo is Reeves/ SAS Churches county, lowering transport costs and delivery times for Box 3, No. 21, Offham Church and the collection is kept agricultural produce, to the expanding Midlands and at Barbican House. North, to London and Portsmouth, and to the new

246 seaside resorts. There was a sudden influx of young The Celts' artifacts betray an appreciation of fine art, people in search of work, from the villages to the towns, both native and foreign, both minute (intricate and a rise in the birthrate. The consequent rise in decoration on gold torcs), and huge (the Greek wine demand raised prices and benefited rural employment; crater 1.64m high, an export model made specially for but the rise in prices brought renewed distress to those Celts). However, what has survived is largely ceremonial. paupers not in agricultural employment. The characteristic decoration is energetic and tense, In future, chairmen, speakers, and audience alike, will humorous, and mysterious, echoing contemporary have to keep strictly to the timetable, despite the descriptions of the people. attractive displays of books for sale, if we are not again to Dr K. M. E. Murray proposed the vote of thanks. be deprived of the surely important final discussion A/an Stevens period, a deprivation which was the only blemish on an otherwise very successful conference. MEETING AT UPPARK A/an Stevens Fifty-five members and friends visited Uppark on 14th May, 1981 , led by Mr Fred Aldsworth. The National Trust guidebook should be read in conjunction with this MEETING AT HEYSHOTT note, though research continues. The party viewed the About 20 members joined Dr K. M. E. Murray for a 18th century Vandal ian Tower (SU 785 183), and the guided walk in Heyshott on 30th April, 1981. Queries crinkle-crankle garden wall (SU 786 178). were raised several times, so what follows may be In South Harting Mrs Stella Palmer pointed out speculative, but not without interest. Humphrey Repton's coach drive (SU 784 192 to A late 13th century pottery kiln has been found beneath SU 783 184), made gentler in gradient than the older the floor of the church's early 13th century nave B2146 east of it. Mr Alan Allnutt explained how water (SU 897171), implying a period of neglect. The living was supplied to Uppark, 110m higher than the nearest was held in plurality with that of Stedham (SU 864 226), spring. The earliest proved supply was that made by not the nearest neighbour. Robert Chorley of Cocking in 1820. His name still Compared to its generally long narrow neighbours, the appears on the pu mp, driven by a n overshot waterwheel, parish is round, watersheds defining most of its at Engine Farm (SU 785 191), which supplied water in boundaries, except on the west, where Costers Brook, cast-iron pipes. Cocking's (SU 879 175) chief stream, is the boundary. At Uppark (SU 779 176), Mr John Eyre, the Heyshott thus possesses little downland and no access administrator, spoke on its history, concentrating on its to the Rother. But for trees, virtually the entire parish appearance and preservation. Later, Mrs Palmer spoke would be visible from Heyshott Down (SU 900 166). about the gardens, and the extensive changes made Bronze Age cemeteries mark its northern (SU 901 166). therein . Unusually sensitive alterations were made to Bronze Age cemeteries mark its northern (SU 901 193) the original, very urbane, building of c.1690, by a and southern (SU 906 165) limits. Perhaps it was a succession of unrelated owners, who, unusually, spent squatter settlement, between parishes settled earlier. much of their lives there. The alterations are not Both manor houses (SU 902 175 and SU 906 185) are immediately obvious. Damage was later caused nearly 1 km from the church, nearer which is a moat unintentionally by admitting sunshine indoors. Members (SU 900 180). were pleased tofind an acetate solution beingapplied to From the church, the party took the footpath the glass, to reduce ultra-violet light. southwards, up a spur (SU 897 170) made steeper by Finally, Mr Eyre kindly explained to a few members limepits formerly open to commoners. On the ridge, some of the less obvious details of the house. cross-dykes at SU 894 164 and SU 907 165 were A/an Stevens inspected, a nd regret expressed that trial excavations to establish a typology have not yet been possible. Maybe MAPS SEMINAR, 30th MAY, 1981 dense woods on scarp and dip slopes made the Seven members spent a stimulating day, under the prolongation of cross-dykes on either side of treeless guidance of Dr Sue Farrant, on the use of maps. formerly broad ridgeway unnecessary? In regressing from OS maps, through earlier, and larger­ The Bronze Age cemetery at SU 906165 was admired. A scale, OS maps, and pre-OS maps, to estate plans, Dr ruinous limekiln bu ilt into the scarp at SU 901 168 (west Farrant warned us to beware of unsupported evidence, of the hollow way) was visited. even of printed publication dates. We were directed to After tea, kindly prepared by Mrs Marion Lovejoy at the surveyors' drawings, manuscripts and printed hand­ former village school, members visited Dr Murray's books, and aerial photographs. We were particularly interesting former farmhouse. requested to write topographical notes statistically, for A/an Stevens comparability. As usual, we were given much useful information. Further sessions will be arranged, on request to the PRESIDENTIAL LECTURE Editor. A/an Stevens Prof. Barry Cunliffe quoted Strabo, Polybius, Diodorus Siculus, and Julius Caesar, and married his quotations to slides of Celtic artihcts found across Europe, in his FOR SALE lecture on 'The Barbarians [sic] of pre-Roman Iron Age Sussex Archce%gica/ Collections, volumes 1-114 Britain', given to the society in Lewes Priory Middle inclusive. All in excellent condition, bound in the School, on 2nd May, 1981. Society'S buckram binding with the exception of Caesar's description of Roman mass brutality compares volumes 91, 104-114. The set includes all issued ill with Celtic customs. Celtic disputes had normally indexes. been resolved by formal contests between champions; Price £300.00 (delivered). and the Celts had had to adapt to the battles the Roma ns Enquiries to Vendor, Mr T. C. Darvill, 45A Blenheim imposed upon them. Avenue, Highfield, Southampton, Hants. THE SOCIETY'S ANNUAL ARCHA:OLOGICAL and 30th each year. It is not necessary for CONFERENCE 1981 nts to be members of the Sussex 'Wilfrid's Christian remains in Sussex' it is that of gra nts Details of this annual whole Conference to be held who are not members will see fit to For on 17th October, 1981 at Chichester are further information and forms enclosed with this Newsletter. Enauiries to K. W. to: The Sussex at the Barbican House. Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1 YE. LIBRARY THE SOCIETY'S ANNUAL HISTORICAL The work in the continues in and diversity. CONFERENCE 1982 the spring, we saw, installed a new bookcase Details and booking forms will be in December's made for us with finish by Dr Newsletter. Enauiries to Dr S. Farrant or Dr 1. Hudson. Giles. A little later we received the again for us, by Charles Robertson SUBSCRIPTIONS 1981 forusewithgiftstothe The willshow Some for the current year are still the donor's name and the date and will be of lasting outstanding and, as requested in separate letters interest, We very much these enclosed with the I Newsletter, a number of attractive and unusual and it is with members have not yet the balance on their bankers that we record our thanks to the donors, for orders received by the on the 1 st January, 1981 with their time and skill. and made out on the old rate of A We should like also to thank many other members for remittance as soon as would be their constant interest and and the followina for K W Suck/inC], Hon. MembershiD their recent to the M. J, C. E J, J. W. E. King, M, J. HON. OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OFTHE Maguire, R. R. A. C. F. Tebbutt, T. SOCIETY APPOINTED MAY 1981 F. E. P. White and S, V. President: Professor B. Cunliffe; Chairman: Mr L. R. Additions to the include the Fisher; Vice-Chairman: Mr. 1. Beaumont. Georgius, De re Metallica: translated; J, Committee Chairman: Finance: Mr J, Farrant; General Animal diseases in Purposes: Mr. L. R. Sub-Committee: Barrett, J. and R. editors, British later Bronze Mr A. Research Panel: Dr K. M. E. Murray; Parts 1 and 2; Brent, C. E" Maritime economy of Museums, Library and Muniments: Dr C, Brent, Eastern Sussex 1550-1 B., istbury Librarian: Mrs W. J, Curator of Deeds: Mr K, W. R. of British Field Dickins; for and Publ Mr K. E. Catalogue medieval tiles in British W, Suckling; Editor of Collections: Dr O. Bedwin; Editor Museum Volumes 1 and 2; J. J., Wealden of Newsletter: Dr S. Farrant; Education Liaison Officers: Ironmasters in the Age of E C, Mr, 0, Rudkin (West and Mrs 0, Meades historic carpentry; Leppard, M. J. and others, S Aids to the of the of East I. Records of the General WANTED: AN ACCOUNTANT Horsham Vol. 1; Mathematics Devotees of the annual accounts will have in Sussex noticed that a not inconsiderable sum is spent on Vose, R H. Glass, accountancy and audit. With the help of our Thornton we recentlv rearranaed the PHOTOCOPYING IN THE LIBRARY so that more of the . at Barbican House done by the office staff at Barbican so can be to members. The current vary the down. To carry this process a stage according to the size of paper used and are: A4 and we need the of a member with substantial quarto, 1Op a and B4 and 15p a sheet, If experience who would be willing for love are sent by post, postage and is extra. and expenses to draft the annual account from the is done by the Honorary Librarian or one of books made up to trial balance, who would and is not 'self-service'. The restrictions consider ng to make the money go further Act of course is invited to contact the Honorary Treasurer, John Farrant, 36 Brangwyn Drive, Patcham, Briahton BN1 THE FRIENDS OF MICHELHAM PRIORY 8XD IBriahton 501081), Michelham is owned the Sussex and in 1980 about 65,000 visited it. The THE IVAN D. MARGARY RESEARCH FUND Friends of Michelham was founded in 1964 and In 1977 the Sussex was the have contributed more than £12,000 towards many of a large under the Will of M r improvements, additions, amenities and restorations in and the decided to devote part the Priory and its grounds besides a number of from the to an Ivan D. Research made by Friends the Friends have Fund. Grants from the Fund are awarded twice a year to been larly associated with the restoration of the support research on any aspect of the and watermill in the and a square no. of Sussex. The main purpose of the Fund is Other items include the clearing of silt from the moat, to meet such research costs as re-roofi ng the a case for Delft There subsistence and services, Recent grants to are about 400 members. Those who join the have from £25 to £1,000. of free admission when the is open, an annual ications for grants are welcomed from luncheon in the an annual report, and the groups and societies, The closina dates are 31 st March satisfaction of heloina to preserve, restore, and enhance

248 the buildings, grounds and exhibits. The Hon. Secretary A very readable text but the maps needed more is Miss M . Hargreaves, 4 Harison Road, Seaford. explanation and perhaps they are asked to show too G. W . R. Harrison, Curator much. A reference tothe location of the inventory which is noted in the introduction would be useful. S. Farrant

THE WEST SUSSEX ARCHIVES SOCIETY AND THE 1881 CENSUS In 1974 the West Sussex Record Office made its earliest venture into microfilm when it bought the Public Record Office copies of the enumerators schedu les for the 1851 Census of West Sussex. These schedules list every inhabitant of the county giving details of their age, occupation, residence and place of birth. They are a basic source for genealogical research, and quickly became one of the most heavily used classes of records in the office. In the years which followed the Record Office was able to build up a collection of the equivalent schedules for the censuses of 1841 , 1861 and 1871 . Michelham Mill This year a 'new' census has been unveiled - that for 1881. Sadly, it will be available just when local BOOKSHELF government cuts have removed Clny r.hance of the Books marked (L) are in the Society's library where Record Office budget finding the purchase price of copies of books sent for review in the Newsletter are approximately £600. kept. At their last Annual General Meeting in October, the L Stevens, Eastbourne - the Virgil and the Morrow, West Sussex Archives Society pledged itself to help Eastbourne Antiquities Research Group, 1980. 45pp raise the money to purchase the 1881 census of West text plus 30pp gazetteer, illustr. A4 format. Obtained Sussex for the West Sussex Record Office, and, to that from Cra i n Services Ltd., 16 Crown Street, Eastbourne. end, they have opened an account, called the 'Census £1.50 plus 36p postage and packing. (L) '81 Fund'. Any person who would like to make a An excellent idea which has been clearly developed by contribution towards the purchase of the census is the author who has done a lot to develop interest in invited to send it to Timothy McCann at the County archCEology within Eastbourne. The text covers important Record Office, County Hall, Chichester, West Sussex themes such as the loss of evidence to development, P019 1 RN . If you wish to send a cheque you should agriculture and natural erosion, the organisations and make it payable to the West Sussex Archives Society, people who have been important in the past and who are but send it to Mr McCann. responsible at the moment for local research, a brief John Bishop, Hon. Secretary, illustrated history of the town's growth, conservation West Sussex Archives Society areas and their shortcomings. The distribution of sites is shown, on maps with commentary. Mr Steven's method MATHEMATICAL TILES could be used elsewhere. The work was mostly done A one day symposium on Mathematical Tiles will be held with an evening class and he describes his method in on Saturday, 14th November 1981 . Fee £4 including detail. The importance of the ground work by such tea. Enquiries/ bookings to Mr M . Exwood, 64 The devoted tutors in order to successfully accomplish Green, Ewell, Epsom KT17 3JJ Include a stamped, self research with a class is obvious. The gazetteer, of over addressed envelope please. 300 sites is well laid out, it includes references to published reports. S. Farrant RESEARCH INTO HISTORIC GARDENS IN WEST SUSSEX G. Heys, Early Settlement in Eastbourne, Eastbourne: Garden history has been a neglected subject in the past. the author, 1980, A5, pp iv + 59, 4 maps. £1.70 plus 22p It is only in the last decade that serious research has postage and packing. (L) . been done and the field is a new and exciting one. Many This is a history of early settlement in Eastbourne until bodies are now interested including the Historic the time of the Domesday Book. ArchCEological evidence Buildings Council, the Garden History Society and the of the past hundred years is used to outline the signs of Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies. It is hoped human activity in the later part of the Stone Age and to to record all the historic gardens and parks in Britain trace subsequent prehistoric developments leading to during the next few years and it is a huge task. Stella more positive evidence of settlement in the Iron Age. Palmer has been asked to undertake it for West Sussex. Consideration of Roman Eastbourne and the changing A great deal of practical help has already been circumstances of the community during the decline of forthcoming - backing from the County Planning Roman Britain and the early centuries of Anglo-Saxon Office, West Sussex Record Office and, just confirmed, a England form the major theme of the book. In Roman grant for expenses from the Margary Trust. The Sussex times, he suggests, the area was dominated by the Historic Gardens Restoration Society has just been large, opulent villa and its substantial estate, which may formed, and funds will be available in the future for have included three or four tenant farms. Eastbourne helping towards the restoration of certain gardens. has a rich succession of Saxon burial remains though What is now needed urgently is an offer of help from positive evidence of occupation sites is less easy to find. individuals - in research at the Record Office, typing, It is thought that these were well-dispersed within the preparing maps and making site visits to gardens all over Eastbourne area. Not until the medieval period, beyond the County. Will anyone interested please contact (Mrs) the scope of this study, did Old Town become the Stella Palmer, 8 Turnbull Road, Chichester, West dominant settlement of the locality. Sussex P019 4LY. (0243) 786486.

249 Dear into the Civil Service At the end of the last century the pages of n found that it was not to be A Collections carried modern After pressure, letters to, and a long feature in from our Sussex chu the Times 1, page the report is now The series was somewhat shortlived but its value as an free of on request from bodies or individuals with historical record can best be summed up contrasting an interest in the Commission's work. Write to The how many i were then recorded which are Civil Service Wh London now i I would not suggest that SAC should SW1 A 2AZ. The issues which Mr n raises are of revive the series but I should like to bring to readers' interest to who are keen to see a sensible attention the fact that our cou graveyards continue national archival Editor to be enda by the ravages of time, vandalism, local clearances and modern RESEARCH IN PROGRESS In the past two years four at least have been Many are research in the cou h oftheir monuments and i at Bolney, or are incorDorating case studies derived from Sussex in the little I Chapel has ceased to function as a based research. In order to avoid building and is shortly to be demol the and to encourage ue between Mount Street at Battle will shortly the researchers who are working on related Walk burial ground of S1. M in the archives, areas, timescales, etc. it is to start a Hastings has, or will be turned into a garden of list of research in progress in the Newsletter in rememberance following and one section of the December 1981 issue. the public cemetery at H has already gone. Had it The Editor wou Id be to hear of research by not been for the notice of vigilant members of the individuals and groups. In orderto a standardised all record of tombstone would have been layout a nd to save space Dlease follow the format set out lost. As it happens all four were recorded below. and a copy of several hundred stones has been 1. Title/area of st mum 15 2. Names; n the Centre's and elsewhere. 3. 4. If for thesis or level, There must be many other cemeteries and and institute; 5. of work if title not which are and there is every likelihood that definitive, maximum 50 6. Related main even the chu rds of our sh churches will ications, maximum of four. ng up' programmes. I might include therefore it a ny reader who parish history, architecture, urban is aware of these programmes or who hears that maps, prints, the census, but not or the story churches and in Sussex are being made of the family abode. Please send your note to the Editor. redundant, would let me know so that efforts can be made to record tombstone Please do not CALLING ALL AUTHORS! think that 'someone else will have said '; this attitude will not save part of the Articles and notes for consideration for our annual ! This is for the efforts of journal Sussex A Collections and for the Messrs Bannerman and Dunkin, Newsletter ich is three times a Victorian members of the whose work is welcomed available in the library at Barbican House. clea Bedwin (for the and Dr S. Farrant (for the the wealth of historical details which could The Newsletter is be from memorial Future gene­ articles of up to 2,000 words. Both publications can rations shouId be able to look back as usa nd say that we maps, and other illustrative too did our material About 1 are of and articles in them Michael Burchall, Sussex Genea ical Centre, 4/33 J. articles and annual biblio­ Sussex Sauare, Brighton BN2 Sussex. g national such as Economic Review and History Fernhurst the of the Petrie Review. the conventions which should be watercolour in the April issue of the Newsletter was used when ng an article for either kindly orovided by Miss V. Smith, the ohotoaraDher. can be obtained from the office at Barbican House. dates for the Newsletter are on the back page, the address is at the front. Articles for SA.C. Volume 120 REVIEW OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON shou Id be sent to Dr the Hon. HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS Society, Barbican Mr Neil n, a former U at the Lewes, East Sussex by 31 st December 1981 . Articles for of the Environment, historian of Dissent in future volumes are also welcomed. Sussex and a member of the Society was nted by the Government last year to review the workings of the Commission on Historical M His findings were to ministers in April 1980. Mr was asked to establish as part of his review NEWSLETTER COpy DATE AND STYLE whether the commission should survive. and double Amongst its the commission is for as in the to the office at locating archives and listing them in a national Barbican House. to the Editor for the December ster. Mr was critical of the Commission and issue 30th for I before 14th recommended that it should remain for anotherfive Clear illustrations can be included, years while a Drooerly co-ordinated archives Dolicy was If advice is wa contact the Editor at drawn up. least 4 weeks before the intended copy date.

Pho!Otvpeser by 1he 250 a nd Printed by the