Title: |
An Archaeological Evaluation Investigating Rock Outcrops at Pookchurch Wood, Nymans, Handcross, Near Haywards Heath W.Sussex RH17 6EB |
Series: |
Archaeology South East unpublished report series
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Downloads: |
archaeol6-167037_1.pdf (2 MB)
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Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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DOI |
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Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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Abstract: |
Archaeology South East were commissioned by the National Trust to undertake an archaeological evaluation comprising auger survey and two hand excavated trial trenches at the foot of the sandstone outcrop known as Pook's Pulpit in Pookchurch Wood to the north-east of Nymans, within the National Trust property. Intended as an Outreach and Community project, £2300 was pledged by the Origins Foundation to fund a programme of outreach activities. Six flint flakes were retrieved, all from secondary locations, either within the deposits in the trial trenches, or from animal burrow up-cast within the immediate vicinity of the trenches. No intact buried soil horizons preserving in-situ Mesolithic or Prehistoric occupation were identified either by the auger survey or the trial trenches. The presence of several flakes in the vicinity of the trenches confirms the probability of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer activity in the location. However, the low density of the finds indicates that either a) our research has not pin-pointed an exact locus of occupation or more likely b) the site has been disturbed by later bioturbation and slope processes. The low density of lithic material is probably indicative of transitory occupation. Pook's Pulpit is likely to be typical of other localities within the valley where Mesolithic hunter gatherers, moving through the landscape utilised the rock as setting for short term camps for short periods of time. The work helps to bring the central Weald in general, and localities like Nymans in particular into focus as an important research area for future field investigation. |
Author: |
Matt Pope
P Stephenson
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Publisher: |
Archaeology South-East
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Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
West Sussex SMR (OASIS Reviewer)
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Year of Publication: |
2014
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Locations: |
Site: |
Pookchurch Wood |
County: |
West Sussex |
District: |
Mid Sussex |
Parish: |
ANSTY AND STAPLEFIELD |
Country: |
England |
Grid Reference: 527081, 129593 (Easting, Northing)
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Subjects / Periods: |
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Identifiers: |
OASIS Id: |
archaeol6-167037 |
OBIB: |
ASE Report No: 2013332 |
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Note: |
A4 report
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Source: |
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Relations: |
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Created Date: |
07 Apr 2020 |