“Agriculture, Industry and Trade in the Roman South East”

Saturday 12th NOVEMBER 2022

Agriculture, Industry and Trade in the Roman South East of England – The CBA South East conference had papers that covered a range of recent investigations and research on a variety of topics.

James Gerrard talked about his excavations around the marshes of the Medway which included a possible mausoleum, an aisled building, and a smithy where evidence in the form of litharge tends to suggest that silver appears to have been refined from either coins or objects. Among the many other finds on this site were a lead-lined timber coffin and collections of otter and badger bones. Is it possible that these animals were being exploited for their fur or meat?

Anne Sassin focused on new field work around the Lullingstone Roman villa. Anne evoked memories about the finding of the fabulous villa, and how digging for fence posts revealed the first evidence for mosaics in the 18^th century. Geophysics around the pasture meadow has indicated new pits and ditches. A small excavation around one corner of the known granary building has revealed grain with the husks being stored into the late Roman period. Among the other finds from the granary building dig were a good number of rodent bones. New finds at Lullingstone have included a number of hazel nut shells dating to the Mesolithic.

Phillip Smither produced a most intriguing presentation about the re-dating of the Richborough Roman fort. Phillip has been studying and researching the archives of the various investigations at the monumental site. He has now provided a new chronology for the buildings, the huge quadrifon and Richborough’s decline. Through stratigraphy, coin and pottery evidence he suggests that the established Watling Street runs over the earlier Claudian ditches, that coin evidence must indicate that the Quadrifons dates to the mid 2^nd century and that in AD 150 and onwards rather than a period of the decline, Richborough was actually booming. There will be some interesting debates about this lecture.

Louise Rayner subject was Roman kilns and pottery production. She illustrated the various types of kilns used, from simple clamps to complex under floor heated structures. Louise concentrated the talk on the numerous kilns along the Medway, but also include new kiln sites at Wickham Barn and Ringer in Sussex. The type of pottery being produced tended to be grog-tempered wares, but there are some imitation white wares being found. An almost intact kiln excavated along the river Medway, has been reconstructed and fired, with some stunning images of the pottery produced.

Lindsay Banfield has researched and studied imported lava querns and mill stones. Most of the southern area querns were from quarries at Lodsworth, but imported lava wares were more prevalent around London and Colchester. Lindsay described how the type of stone for querns affected the grinding process, and even the taste of the flour. The lava stone produced a much finer flour. The earliest lava querns come from London and the south east.

Damian Goodburn’s presentation was focused on Roman wall construction and carpentry, revealed by recent excavations around the ancient Roman quay sites in London. Roman walls apparently had evidence for vertical wattle weaving. He mentioned wood-lined wells, barrels re-used as well linings, and a door that had been re-used as a shelf. There have been finds of timber lined drains along Roman roads. Damian also mentioned the elegant and well-crafted Bridge Farm roof fragment and the axle from a cart found at Edburton. He emphasised that there was no waste with wood, waste was used for fuel.

The final performance was from Martyn Allen about the Roman iron production site found during the Hastings to Bexhill road excavations. Iron production came mainly from the Forest of Dean, the east Midlands and The Weald. The Sussex industry is generally associated with tile finds from the Classis Britannica sites at Beauport Park, with stamped CLBR tiles. However, no stamped tiles were found on the new iron production site, which is not too far away. The excavations revealed a large bloomery site, and an enclosure that appears to contain some form of domestic dwelling or granary in  the form of a 6-posted building. Dating from the Roman pottery suggests later 3^rd century production. There were numerous stake-holes indicating small-scale structures. It is generally considered that the iron was transported northwards via Maidstone, although Lyn Cornwell from the HAARG group mentioned processed iron could have moved south down to Pevensey via local Roman roads. It is known that slag from iron production was used to line Roman roads, one example being at Holteye in Sussex.

The conference was an interesting collection of papers on a narrow cross section of trade and industry in the Roman period. Recent research and excavations continue to show how new work can change and enhance our perception of the past. Appreciation should be expressed towards Anne Sassin and Elizabeth Blanning for organising such a fascinating conference. Agriculture, industry and trade is such vast subject that we can only hope to see similar enlightening conferences in the not too-distant future.

John Funnell

 2021 Annual Conference

“Archaeology of the Church:  perspectives from recent work in the South-East”

Saturday 27th NOVEMBER 2021

Church archaeology is a vast subject. The study and development of the buildings
themselves has a complex range of subjects. The joint CBA South East/Surrey
Archaeological Society November conference, ‘Archaeology of the Church:
perspectives from recent work in the South-East’, provided an interesting collection
of papers. The first talk by Michael Shapland, originally from ASE but now the
archaeologist for Chichester Cathedral, was fascinating. The early Saxon cathedral was
located on Selsey Bill, close to the local lord’s manor, and not within the confines of the
Roman town. The cathedral moved within the town walls in AD 1075. This was an
interesting talk about the politics and reasons why the safety of the walled town were not exploited.

Bermondsey Abbey has been the subject of a number of excavations in this busy part of
London. The investigations have provided quite a detailed account of this very complex structure. It was the site of a Saxon Minster church with some evidence of an earlier church still retained at lower levels. The garth area was the burial place of the early monks, but it appears that during Norman times these were dug up and re-deposited in large pits. Alistair Douglas (PCA) provided a detailed account of how the abbey developed.

James Wright (Triskele Heritage) spoke about ancient myths and focused on grooves
found on church stone walls, believed to be from medieval archers honing their arrowheads. The medieval archery butts were often well away from the church buildings, and when practising only dumb arrowheads were used, otherwise the targets would have been torn to shreds very quickly. His idea for these grooves was that people believed that if you scraped sand from church wall stones, and dipped it in holy water, it could cure any number of ills. This is the more likely reason for these marks. Pilgrims were also known to rub church stones.

Andrew Richardson, Ellie Williams and Lesley Hardy’s presentation focused on investigations at St Eanswythe Church in Folkstone, undertaken as part of the Finding Eanswythe community project, led by Canterbury Christ Church University. The site is associated with an early church built around AD 660. The church supported both monks and nuns and appears to be associated with defensive walls. It is reported that in 1138 the relics of St Eanswythe were moved to a new church. During recent renovations a plaque was removed from a wall, and a lead casket containing human remains was found behind it. The bones were of a young woman. Osteoarchaeological studies show that it is the remains of one person. She was about 17-21 years of age, the right age for when St Eanswythe died. A molar and small foot bone was sent for radiocarbon dating, and it is possible that the remains are actually of the saint. What an incredible find.

The church of St Mary’s in Eastbourne was the subject of Jo Seaman’s presentation. The original town of Eastbourne was inland, and the town only became closer to the sea
during Victorian times. The original church catered for the ancient farming community.
The church is full of graffiti, with designs of rosettes, circles, ships, letters, name, fish,
crosses and ‘daisy wheels’. Some areas of the church have a focus of one type of design, fish or ships. Jo and his team have plotted them all. The original church was to St Michael only later changing to St Mary’s. The change is noted in a charter of AD 1208.

The final presentation was about a tomb in Bletchingly, of Sir Thomas Cawarden. The
tomb now visible is of a simple design and quite crudely constructed. Investigations
commenced when large fragments of dressed stone were noted as part of the later church tower construction. The stones had elaborate dressings and were considered possibly as part of the old manor house. Facets of the tomb include Tudor roses, and a study of Tudor tombs showed designs with fluted columns and Ionic head stones. The stones in the tower were similar to ones from Tudor tombs and it is now considered they may have belonged to the original tomb of Sir Cawarden. There is some evidence that this type of Tudor tomb did have some unstable elements. Why were they removed? A later even more elaborate tomb for Sir Robert Clayton required a wider panorama, so it looks very much as if the earlier tomb was dramatically reduced in size to accommodate the later one.

The conference was a splendid day full of intriguing and interesting archaeology, mainly
focused on above ground archaeology. Church archaeology has so many facets that I am sure other conferences on a very complex subject will be forthcoming in the future.
John Funnell

2021 AGM and Lecture

The AGM took place online via Zoom on Thursday 14 October at 20:00.   This followed a special lecture at 19:00 – open to members and non-members alike – by Matthew Champion on ‘Historical Church Graffiti in context’, which looked at several case studies from the southeast and set the scene for a couple of the talks at the November conference.

2021 Spring Conference Report

 “Archaeology and Climate Change”

Saturday 17th APRIL 2021

This conference, jointly held with the Sussex Archaeological Society (SxAS), as for  so many meetings this past year, had to be held online. However, through the skilful handling of Zoom by Dr Matthew Pope (University College London and Vice-Chair SxAS), we offered an excellent alternative to meeting in person.

As archaeologists, we recognise past climatic changes and seek to understand the social strategies enacted to deal with their effects. If we acknowledge that we are in, or are heading into a climate emergency, and appreciate the threats this poses, these past experiences may serve as a lesson for us today and into the future. Archaeology and Climate Change was our conference’s theme, backed up by a strong line-up of speakers and topics .

Our first speaker was Professor Martin Bell (University of Reading and President of SxAS). His paper ‘Quaternary Climate Change’ reviewed the climate changes since the last glaciation, and he reminded us how the slightest breach of climate thresholds can have the most dramatic effects on societies.  Martin gave a range of examples to support his paper, including dendrochronology, formation of peat bogs, coastal settlement consequence, even down to clothing ‘choices’ made in Greenland during the Little Ice Age.

Next came Professor Robert Van de Noort (Vice-Chancellor University of Reading) who gave our keynote lecture, ‘Climate Change Archaeology: building resilience from research into coastal wetlands’. Robert argued that the growth of archaeologists studying the subject increased around the year 2008 (around the time of Al Gores ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ and UN IPCC reports on Climate Change). Robert suggests that climate change archaeologists having a better understanding of past climate models, can become an important source as to the impacts of the future. He highlighted how some past communities adapted to living alongside environmental areas of impact in three coastal regions, the North Sea, Sundrabans and Florida.

Lara Band (Lead Archaeologist on Museum of London’s CITiZAN project), then took to our screens and presented ‘Weir and wonderful: CITiZAN, citizen science and climate change in South East England’. Reviewing the work of CITiZAN and the volunteer archaeologists since 2018 at Sandwich Bay, Kent, whilst hunting for wrecks, a number of Fish Traps were discovered (not yet dated). Various sources suggest they were established in a highly mobile foreshore subject to climatic changes, that the coppiced stakes, may have been subject to environmental change.

Then before lunch, the talk was on ‘Climate Change, Soil Erosion and Sustainability’ given by Professor John Boardman (Environmental Change Unit, University Oxford). This topic brought us inland, and covered the sources of soil erosion, over 90% of which is via water in routine or extreme weather conditions. Choices of crop types and land management practices are also influencers. John has studied a number of prehistory sites in Sussex to see if he can recognise how much soil was lost then. Working today in the Rother Valley, West Sussex, alongside Water and Environment agencies, he hopes to persuade landowners to improve for the better their current practices.

We returned after lunch to a recorded talk given by Dr Hannah Fluck (Head of Environmental Strategy at Historic England) – ‘The Impact of Climate Change on Heritage Management’. She took us through the challenges of climate projections, and what that may mean for the future and challenges to the heritage sector. The emphasis on developing ‘protection mechanisms’ and heritage management in a climate crisis was stressed. The work Hannah has led within HE has fed into the UK’s Climate Change Risk Assessment, suggesting ways to make our own practices more relevant and environmentally sustainable and that we have a responsibility to share our local knowledge globally.

Following a respectful 1-minute silence for the passing of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, we returned with ‘Heritage and Environment Matters, taking effective action in uncertain times’, a talk given by Tor Lawrence (CEO of the Sussex Wildlife Trust). Tor reminds us that whilst the Trust has a responsibility for heritage within its area of responsibility, we (and it) are not the only species impacted. Precious wildlife havens are also at risk. Reasons shared were the imbalance of climate on seasonal growth, risks of drier summers and wildfires, of flooding through increased rainfall. Tor however presented where the Trust are ‘putting nature into recovery’, and how working with local archaeological society’s, benefits the heritage at the same time.

Dr Robyn Pender (Senior Architectural Conservator, Historic England), then treated us to her paper ‘Learning from the Past: Historic Buildings and Climate Change’. In our super energy world, she argues when we became fossil fuel slaves, and suggests that the history of buildings is equal to our history of energy use. Her presentation led us on a path of how low energy materials were replaced by high energy sources. From tiny church apertures to large glazed windows, the introduction of building services such as fireplaces and chimneys, heat loss radiating into surrounding surfaces, damp problems leading to sash windows, Robyn was able to weave a narrative of development leading to an increased reliance on fossil fuels. “Alexa, tell me how to save carbon”.

Finally joining us live from the USA, Professor Marcy Rockman (ICOMOS and University of Maryland USA), gave us much to think on with her lecture ‘Questions we ask of Climate and Ourselves’. As with all our presenters, Marcy suggests that we need to learn from our past and from past social adaptions to climate changes, through asking ourselves ‘those difficult questions’. She reasons that attitudes have to change. A personal example in disposing of rubbish, suggests individuals know that there is a problem, but are not necessarily ready to deal with it. Marcy cited attitudes when colonists were sent to Jamestown, Virginia, that the perceived expectations were that they would be able to exploit the local environment in line with their then, English social practices. This despite the differences in latitude between Jamestown and London and therefore marked environmental differences. Her presentation reminds us that the exploitation of the environment as a commodity, can also be linked to the exploitation of individuals in the form of slavery.

Sweden’s Greta Thunberg made appearances in several of the presenter’s slides. Given that the young will bear much of the cost and impact of climate changes, the organisers were keen to offer a number of students free tickets – 38 places were taken, some from universities as far afield as India.

Both Hannah’s recorded talk and Marcy’s presence from another continent, remind us of the benefits of products such as Zoom in reducing our carbon footprint for such occasions, and benefiting the diversity of speakers and subjects we could gather consequently.

Steve Cleverly, Vice Chairman/Treasurer CBA South-East

2020 AGM and Lecture

This year’s AGM took place virtually on Thursday 8 October at approximately 20:00, following a special lecture by Dr Matt Pope on ‘The Boxgrove People: Adapting to Climate Change on the Edge of the Early Human World’ at 19:00

The AGM and lecture took place via Zoom video conferencing (usable either in your web browser, or via a downloadable app).  All of our members were invited to attend the online AGM and lecture, and the lecture was opened up to the general public as well. The special lecture started at 19:00 and lasted approximately an hour, with the AGM taking place around 20:00.

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2019 Conference Report coming soon

“Archaeological Perspectives on Links between the South East and the Continent”

Saturday 2 November 2019

Rutherford College, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NX

(Click the following link for a full programme).

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2018 Conference Report coming soon

‘Structured Deposits: definitions, developments and debates’

Saturday 10th November, 2018

Chertsey Hall, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 9DR

Since its origins some thirty odd years ago, our understanding of the concept of ‘structured deposition’ has developed substantially – debates surround not only terminology and definitions, but applications in its use, resulting in a perceived tendency for over-utilization and ‘ritual’ interpretations in analysis. With recognition of such deposits ever-growing through the work of commercial units and the Portable Antiquities Scheme, the contributions of critical and systematic academic attention are increasingly apparent. This day conference brings together research from the prehistoric to the medieval period, revealing new discoveries being made in southern England – and the South-East in particular – and the fascinating insights emerging from projects focused on the processes of deposition.

(Click the following link for a full programme).

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2017 Conference Report

‘Breaking new ground; engaging in the past – a celebration of archaeology in the South-East and beyond’

Saturday 7th October 2017

Kings Church, Lewes, East Sussex

This year’s conference, on our 25^th Anniversary, started with a paper from Edwin Wood, the Finds Liaison Officer for Sussex. It provided a review of twenty years since the Treasurer Act was established, and presented remarkable examples to demonstrate the importance of finds reporting as the core activity of the Portable Antiquities Scheme across the counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Whilst the continued expansion of activity, and the numbers of finds made by metal detectorists over this period is alarming, the efforts of our regional FLOs at recording many of these discoveries is very important. The research benefits, such as the identification of regional trends in terms of certain types of artefacts, have been significant . The numbers of items recorded in our area during the last 20 years are: 15k finds in Surrey, 21.5k in Sussex, and 39.4k in Kent.

Professor Chris Stringer then took the stage and gave an entertaining and informative overview of what is new in human evolution – updating his slides only the night before with fast-moving latest developments. Speaking about new discoveries gathered on hominid species, and then evidence on interbreeding between supposedly different species was presented. If the ‘experts’ are bewildered, then Chris made it easier for us to keep up with these advances.

Dr Matt Pope noted that whilst the South-East has several important sites, further testing of distribution maps to locate unidentified Palaeolithic landscapes needs to be explored – especially for the Upper Palaeolithic. Though close to the lost Doggerland landscape and near to the continent, the record of discoveries in this area is sparse. Matt reviewed flint assemblages, spoke of recent opportunities to investigate further, and made the case for a systematic research project to match those already undertaken in East Anglia and the Thames Valley.

Following lunch and our Annual General Meeting, we were treated to a 40-year review of the projects undertaken by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and of its formation. Dr Paul Bennett spoke of excavations, much of it rescue, buildings recording and outreach archaeology covered during that period. This was an impressive record to condense into just 40 minutes – including such diverse topics as coins of Cunobelin (pre-Roman Britain), Claudian fortifications and Viking knives. Paul also stressed the importance in rescue archaeology of using local expertise over competitive tendering including archaeological units from outside the area.

Casper Johnson, Head of Heritage and Records Management at East Sussex County Council, spoke of the changes and challenges for heritage curation. Be it national or local planning policies, financial restraints or the impact of climate change and agricultural damage, Casper stressed and demonstrated the value of collaboration between likeminded curators, universities, communities (archaeology groups and schools) and professional bodies, as well as offering some thoughts to the future.

Professor Carenza Lewis gave us an inspiring presentation which took us from the early days of C4’s Time Team, through to her involvement in instigating professionally supported community archaeology and heritage projects. Through her paper we reflected on how participation in archaeology became familiar and accessible to a wider community, how these contributors are becoming more experienced with professional body support, and how the evidence they gather aids our general heritage understanding – whilst also offering those involved various social benefits.

Our final speaker, honouring us with the closing address, was the Director of the CBA. Dr Mike Heyworth presented a view on the current state of archaeology, praised the successes of the CBA over these last 25 years, but was keen to remind of the challenges that currently face us, or are due to materialise – Brexit uncertainties on funding, the impact of reliable and consistent HER updates, local government archaeological advice diminishing, museum closures, Higher Education qualification and skill shortages. More than ever this reminds us how valuable our CBA (South-East) memberships are.

Steve Cleverly, Treasurer CBA South-East

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2016 Conference Report

‘Pots, Palaces Parks: Archaeology in the South East AD 1000–1700’

Saturday 19th November 2016

Sevenoaks School (Recital Room), Sevenoaks, Kent

The conference commenced with a paper from CBA South Committee member Natalie Cohen about some new research and finds of ancient graffiti. The new study had examined walls at Knole House, Bodiam Castle and cellars at Winchelsea. There were an intriguing collection of inscriptions including fleets of medieval sailing ships, many ancient names and some curious symbols and signs that were not builders or mason marks.

Mike Brace talked about St Mary Magdalen medieval hospital, whose cemetery contained many remains with signs of the feared disease of leprosy. He also spoke about the study of the pottery found from the excavations. The Winchester location is proving to be an interesting area for new fabrics, with some of the pottery coming from a number of very large deep pits. The site consisted of a series of alms houses, a master house and adjacent and adjoining Chapel, with a number of burials recovered from an earlier period below the chapel floor.

Woking Palace already has a fascinating history especially from the late medieval and Tudor periods. The moated site is a complex of buildings with archaeological investigations providing evidence for the chronology of the structures built. It was quite remarkable to link these structures with historical people. It was all brought vividly to life by the speaker Richard Savage.

Anne Bone talked about the new and exciting discoveries found in West Sussex and the South Downs National Park revealing a hidden history of medieval parks and many other features in the landscape. The information now gained from the LIDAR survey is being used in association with old maps to engage young people in further research projects.

Andrew Mayfield’s paper considered community archaeology and how LIDAR had opened up lots of potential for field walking ground truthing and desk top studies. LIDAR has produced numerous images of features and sites within previously difficult terrains lying in woods, stripping away the trees and revealing so many hidden details. His example of Randall manor, which had no previously known record in the landscape, had been revealed by this new technology.

LIDAR also featured in Andrew Margett’s talk about medieval farming. It had proved a useful tool in identifying features and buildings associated with husbandry, farming and dairy production in and around the Haywards Heath area. The survey has produced huge amounts of detail showing field systems, droveways and even cow sheds. Again new projects involved the examination of old maps and documents, and the name ‘Vachery’ hinting at indications of this past rural activity.

The final speaker was Dr Amanda Richardson who spoke about the creation and development of deer parks, and how their original use was for containing deer herds for hunting and sport, but changed over the succeeding centuries. During the Tudor and later 17th century deer parks became a figure of status and even a symbol of national pride. Many continental travellers published that England and Scotland contained more parks than any other country. It was a change of direction in the later periods to an interest in ‘landscape’ gardening which saw the decline of deer hunting and the hunting aspect change to fox hunting, on more open terrains.

John Funnell, Grants Officer CBA South East

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 2015 Conference Report

‘Life in the Mesolithic and new perspectives on the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition’                                                                                                                                 Saturday 14th November 2015                                                                                                                                    Surrey History Centre, Woking, Surrey

Our understanding of the Mesolithic in Britain has increased substantially in recent times due to the considerable contributions made by commercial and community archaeology alongside continued academic attention. This day conference brought together talks from each of these sectors, revealing new discoveries being made on the Mesolithic in the South-East of Britain and introducing some of the fascinating insights emerging from projects focused upon the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition from other areas of the country. Click here for full schedule

The morning session concentrated on recent discoveries and how they can inform future research. Martin Bell emphasised the opportunities provided by environmental evidence to re-examine previously known Mesolithic sites to determine settlement and chronologies.

Phil Jones presented the results from Bletchingley, Surrey. The site is overlooked by the North Downs and traverses clay and sand geologies, sitting on a watershed between streams running East to the Medway and West to the Mole. It was suggested that this was a strategic choice when following migratory herds.

The submerged landscape of Bouldner Cliff in the Solent was revealed by Gary Momber from which was found wood with tool marks and evidence for tangential splitting which is interpreted as a possible boat building site. It was proposed that the loss of land may have enforced adaptation and the emergence of trade to continue earlier links with lands recently submerged.

While no post-excavation results were available from the work on the Bexhill relief road scheme, Mike Donnelly was able to present an outline of the discovery of a number of Mesolithic scatters from which it was estimated that there could be at least 230000 lithic artefacts. This site with its huge Late Mesolithic assemblage again shows the value of wetland areas for research.

The afternoon session moved the focus to discussion of the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition and what different areas of research could add to the knowledge of this period. Fraser Sturt reviewed the progress of the Stepping Stones project and it was suggested that it was time to review the image of the transition and to discuss whether C14 dates are representative or skew our understanding of the period since they have largely been taken from mainland sites when islands could be used as stepping stones across the seas.

A current research project on caves and springs in south west England was presented by Caroline Rosen on behalf of Jodie Lewis. This area is rich in cave and spring sites often associated with depositional practices during the Mesolithic. Some practices in these places suggest a persistence of ritual activities during a ‘messy’ mix of traditions as Neolithic groups moved around the south west.

Rick Schulting discussed another avenue of evidence for Mesolithic and Neolithic societies. There are few Mesolithic skulls to study but across Europe skulls exhibit evidence for healed fractures rather than death blows. However during the Neolithic this changes and a number of skulls exhibit the marks of blunt force injuries at the time of death: this percentage is small but higher than the expected average suggesting an undercurrent of violence.

The final paper given by Don Henson was an overview of the history of presenting this period establishing that until recently the Mesolithic was seen as a dull, academic specialism. However, newsworthy discoveries are now populating the period so that an engaging story can be told.

The emphasis of all speakers at this conference was of the importance of environmental analysis and an understanding of the geology and landscape of the sites under research to enable the peopling of the Mesolithic  in such a way as to enhance public appreciation of the period.

Rose Hooker, Secretary CBA South East