Sussex Archaeological Collections 153

The results of an analytical survey of Saxonbury hillfort are reported and include the presence of a probable prehistoric field system. A possible re-interpretation of earlier excavation results is offered, as is some consideration of the relationship with nearby iron production sites.

Excavation west of Wivelsfield, East Sussex, revealed part of an early Romano-British settlement. One of the round-houses may have had a non-domestic, possibly ritual, function. The settlement appears to have been subsequently incorporated within a rectilinear arrangement of field/enclosure ditches. Along the edge of one of these ditches were built a series of features interpreted as ovens, of varying form and likely use, from which charred waste from cereal processing and charcoal from coppiced woodland were recovered.

Excavation at Pevensey and Westham CE School, Westham revealed evidence for medieval activity, mainly of 11th–13th century date. Two phases of ditch systems were identified, probably related to drainage activity associated with a marshland-edge location. A handful of pits and a possible structure were also recorded, although associated finds were very limited. A small collection of residual Roman pottery was recovered, but no features of this date were identified.

The fire which swept through Uppark in Harting, West Sussex, in August 1989 and the subsequent five-year restoration exposed much of the fabric of the house previously hidden by decorative plasterwork, panelling, and floor and wall coverings. The fabric and the debris provided much new evidence for the house's original form and decoration, and for changes made to it during its life. Minor ground disturbances around the house, for example for temporary buildings and services, led to the discovery of evidence for the development of the gardens.This new archaeological evidence is presented here along with recently identified documentary evidence. Together they offer a revised and more detailed account of the history of the house and its gardens than has previously been available.Although the house and gardens were first built in c. 1690 (Period 1), the precise dates for their construction and the name of the architect responsible are not known. The property was described as 'a new built' by Celia Fiennes visiting in the second half of 1695, but dates as early as 1685 have been suggested for its construction for Ford Grey, Baron Grey of Warke, created Earl of Tankerville in June 1695. Although the house is often attributed to William Talman (1650-1720), with George London (c. 1640-1714) perhaps employed to design the gardens, the distinguished architect Hugh May (1621-84), who lived locally at Lavant, may have had a hand in its design.The house was refurbished and the gardens were redesigned just a few years later, c. 1700-30 (Period 1a), with new outbuildings by the London builder John Jenner in 1723-5. They were extended and altered again on two further occasions, after purchase by Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh, between 1747 and 1774 probably to designs by Daniel Garrett (d. 1753) and Henry Keene (1726-76) (Period 2), and then by Sir Harry Fetherstonhaugh in 1811-17, to designs by Humphry Repton (1752-1818) (Period 3).The picture that emerges is one of continuing change to meet the aspirations of successive owners or to accommodate visits by fashionable visitors, not least George, Prince of Wales between 1784 and 1804.

During research on the Great War camps at Seaford, the authors located a set of 1916 plans in the Canadian national archives. Not only was Seaford covered but also the camps at Crowborough and Shoreham. These extensive sites have all but disappeared and the plans therefore provide an invaluable insight into the three divisional camps in the county. The plans have been redrawn and colour coded for reproduction here along with a brief explanatory narrative.