Sussex Archaeological Collections 114

This article examines the transplantation from Cheshire to mid-Sussex of two branches of the Poole family, subsequent to a double marriage alliance with the Pelhams of Lewes. Zealous local activity in the Newcastle interest was rewarded by the Duke with lucrative places in national administration. The profits of office, supplemented by the fruits of judicious marriage, allowed the consolidation by one branch of a small estate in Chailey where model husbandry was practised and the achievment by the other of a leading position in Lewes society. This prosperity was coincident with a disengagement from the Pelham interest.

The volume of cargo-carrying commercial shipping which used the Sussex Ports (Rye, Newhaven, Shoreham, Arundel and Chichester) increased at least five fold between 1701 and 1789-90 and about three fold between 1789-90 and 1841 (when railway competition began). This represents an annual average growth rate of 2 to 2½%. Rates of growth varied substantially between ports. Coastal imports expanded relatively faster than other branches of trade, reflecting the decline of local self-sufficiency in foodstuffs and fuel. Foreign trade declined as a proportion of the whole. The average tonnage of vessels increased at least threefold, 1701-1841, thanks to harbour imporvements which began in the 1720s and are described. Commodities specifically discussed are corn, timber and underwood, coal, wool, hops, fish, iron, chalk, boulders, animal products, salt, stone and manufactured goods. The coasting trade with London is considered separately.

Four round barrows out of a cemetery of twelve were totally excavated prior to their destruction by sand quarrying. Two of the barrows were simple turf stacks encircled by a berm and ditch. The most complex barrow was constructed in two phases, the earliest phase being revetted with wicker-work, while the simplest barrow consisted of a small mound of turf. No burials were found, but considerable environmental evidence was obtained from the analysis of pollen and mites. A carbon 14 date range of 1680 b.c. was obtained.

The excavation was undertaken to obtain further information about the medieval occupation of the site prior to redevelopment and to try to establish a medieval pottery sequense for the Hastings area. Similar groups of pottery of types centred on the fourteenth century werfe found in four pits cut into the natural clay. Other features discovered included two post holes, the possible north-west corner of a late medieval / early post-medieval building, and eighteent and nineteenth century pits and cottage foundations.

A limited ecavation of this Saxon burgh has revealed traces of settlement and industrial activity within the walls. The suggestion is made that a considerable village existed on the site up to and beyond the Norman conquest.

Rescue excavations carried out on three adjoining sites in the town centre of Newhaven are described. Natural was a Clay-with-Flints surface, upon which Pleistocene landforms had developed. These included ice wedge polygons, unsorted stone stripes and cryoturbations. Many such features had a fill of loess, which contained flint flaked as evidence of Palaeolithic occupation. The Romano-British settlement was bounded by a ditch. Parts of five wooden and stone buildings have been excavated. First occupied in the second half of the first century, the whole site was systematically levelled in the Antonine period. Demolition horizons contained painted wall plaster, opus signinum, box flue tiles, window glass and abundant building stone. A small early villa evidently stood nearby and the structures examined are presumably its outbuildings. Pottery and artifacts are an interesting combination of local ultimate Iron Age and Roman types. Ploughmarks were found outside the ditch and the floral and faunal remains suggest a mixed farming strategy. The Medieval and Post-Medieval archaeology and history of the site are discussed.

Ancient Monuments in Sussex; Port’s Road, the Ancient Road of Portslade; Kitchenham Farm, Ashburnham; Queen’s Hall Museum, Cuckfield; Wallhurst Manor, Cowfold; Apparent Hut Circles, Pippingford Park, Nutley; The Work of the Mid Sussex Archaeological society, 1961-5; Richard Oxenbridge of Horsted Keynes and his Family, 1644-1719; Earlsdown, Dallington; Deans Farm, Warbleton; A Mesolithic site at Lodge Hill, Ditchling; Mesolithic and Neolithic Finds from Keymer; Romano-British finds from Plumpton; Reports from FG Aldsworth; The Polegate Hoard; Romano-British Finds from Ditchling; Medieval Potteries at East Lavington; smock Alley; Farm Formation in Eighteenth-century Bishopstone; Hastings Country Park; A Bronze Age Barrow on Sullington Hill; The Dates of John burton’s Journeys through Surrey and Sussex; Wealden Iron Research Group.