Sussex Archaeological Collections 134

The pre-1953 treatment of Piltdown material illustrates how preconceptions can determine the interpretation of discoveries. Despite its initial impact, Piltdown did not otherwise affect the overall interpretation of human evolution and prehistory.

Work at a 90m strip of tangential ditch has led to reassessment of the constructional sequence of the Neolithic monument. Additional rescue work has contributed to better definition of surviving prehistoric remains at the site. The finds section includes details of: `The worked flint' by David Underwood (49--50); `The pottery and its implications' by Sue Hamilton (51); `Faunal remains' by Wendy Wood (51); and `A contribution to the environmental history of Whitehawk Neolithic enclosure' by Ken Thomas (51--6).

Excavations identified eight periods of activity. A flint gravel `hard' for beaching ships was followed by twelfth-century alluvium cover and rubbish dumping. Grey Friars was founded before 1241 on the built-up surface of the floodplain, in damp conditions, and partial rebuilding took place on the south side of the cloisters. Major rebuilding in period four evinced a chalk rubble layer, dumped to raise the ground level. Minor alteration in the fifteenth--sixteenth centuries were followed by Dissolution, demolition of many buildings, the continued use of some until the late seventeenth century, then the demolition of these too and the construction of The Friars (a house). Fifty-five medieval burials were recovered from the church, cloister walk, cloister garth and graveyard, the majority of which were adult males. There are specialist reports on: `Post-Dissolution history' by Colin Brent (73--4); `Pottery' (102--4 -- mostly med), and `Building material' (104) both by Mark Gardiner; `Decorated floor tiles' by Maureen Bennell (104--7); `Other floor tiles' by Chris Broomfield (107); Roofing material includes details of `Tiles' by Chris Broomfield (107--8), `Slate' by Eric Holden (109), and `Roof furniture' by Mark Gardiner (109); `Stained glass' by Jill Kerr (109--11); `Metalwork' by Miles Russell (111--13); `Slag' by Miles Russell (113); `Coins and jettons' by David Rudling (113--14); `Stone objects' by Mark Gardiner (114--15); `Charcoal' by Simon J Dobinson (115); `Animal bone' by Rod O'Shea (115); `Marine molluscs' by E M Somerville (115--17); and finally `Human burials' by Sue Browne (117--21).

Throughout England the mid-Tudor period witnessed a great ecclesiastical upheaval. In the years 1534 to 1553 monasteries and chantries were dissolved, parish churches were disfigured, saints' days were abrogated and the Catholic mass was abolished. In the five years that followed an attempt was made to undo the devastation and restore the old religious structures and practices. This article tries to show how the people of Sussex reacted to these changes and raises the question whether, by the accession of Elizabeth, the county had really experienced a 'Reformation'.

Chronicles the use of the castle and grounds for recreation. The keep and barbican were purchased for permanent preservation in 1838--40 and passed into the care of the Sussex Archaeological Society in 1850.

This article examines the relationship between the city of Chichester and the Westhampnett Poor Law Union between 1835 and 1930 and discusses the reasons why a poor-law union based on Chichester and the surrounding rural parishes was never formed.

Recent archaeological work at Pyecombe church, West Sussex; A Middle Brionze Age pin from Broomhill Sands, Camber, East Sussex, and its context; Later prehistoric flintwork from Valley Dip, Seaford, East Sussex; A Bronze Age enclosure near Ditchling Beacon, East sussex; The Offham brooch; A very long quoit-headed pin and a decorated annular armring fromt eh newhaven area, East sussex; 'Soe farr from thee as east and west': William Penn's prosecution as a popish recusant in 1682; A case of mistaken locality: John Bean of Clapham and his javelin men; Thomas King's excavaton at Greyfriars, Chichester, in 1835.