Surrey Archaeological Collections
Surrey Archaeological Society, 2003. (updated 2023) https://doi.org/10.5284/1000221. How to cite using this DOI
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- ADS Collection: 379
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000221
- How to cite using this DOI
SURREY ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS
Stages in the settlement of a downland parish: a study of the hedges of Chelsham
GEOFFREY HEWLETT
The fact that over 40 miles of hedges still exist in Chelsham makes the parish a particularly suitable area for the application of hedge dating. This technique, which developed originally from the studies of Dr Hooper of the Nature Conservancy is now established as having a valid contribution to make in landscape studies. Hedges may be indicators of the former existence of woodland or they may have been planted around ancient enclosures. In either case, but particularly if they can be dated, they will add to our knowledge of the area. The object of the Chelsham study was to trace the stages by which settlements have spread over the area, to discover the extent of ancient woodlands and to determine the time when this pioneering clearance and settlement took place.
