A morning with Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society
Setting the scene
A stone wall surrounds the site and as far as the eye can see was believed to be owned by one Saxon family, After 1066 and the Norman conquest its believed that the land was divided into smaller sections and the owners now had to pay their taxes to the Normans. The land was divided again and again over the years and the country side is now developed with residential dwellings of many periods through history
The Site
Some of the site is covered by plastic sheets, this is to protect areas that have been or are not yet been dug. you can see layers of flint stone this is man made and believed to be part of a wall. we learned today that it may be one side of a grand entrance gate which would have led to the manor house previously discovered and to the left of this photograph.
The Site
each pit is thoroughly checked inch by inch, all the loose soil and deb re is placed into yellow buckets. then moved to this mound and then checked through again, nothing must be missed. Every single find helps build a picture and as I learned the story unfolds before your eyes... its captivating.
The Site
this 15' long pit had been dug and was believed to be part of the structure, the mindset soon changed, they thought they had missed the structure but it would have to join the wall, later in the day the bottom of the pit changed from soil to chalk at both ends. This meant that they had joined up to the building or buildings they were uncovering
The Finds
This is a piece of bone, you or I would have disregarded this, however the knowledge of the team is so good, this was cleaned up and I was advised its an animal bone from around 1000 years old, it could have been part of a meal but evidence seems to point to a pen or barn is being unearthed
Layers
each layer is a period in time, once the top soil is removed below is a chalky stone and unevenly placed structure this is believed to be part of a medieval wall or gate pillar. I was advised that it is not best quality in workmanship so is unlikely to be part of a house but possibly an outhouse or staple or animal pen.
The dig
it was suggested that the area pictured is part of a medieval gate pillar that once would have lead to a lavish garden with a track leading to the manor house. The Middle ages brought status to the Lords and having a grand entrance would have depicted wealth. To know for certain the other pillar would need to be uncovered. John showed me where he thought it may be but that was still to be investigated.
The Tools
the Archaeologists tool kit, or what I saw today a sieve, a small and large scraper, a small brush, gloves a big yellow bucket and foam gardening knee pads for kneeling on and one guy had a spoon, I asked him whats it for and he told me he uses the handle to get into difficult places. i would think there is more.
The Site
The 11th century church stands close to where the manor house once was, by the fallen tree in the photo a doorway was unearthed, It would have been a quick access to the church. to the other side of the dig site where the suggested gates are leading to the gardens of the house. all this would tie in quite nicely with the theory of the layout
The Finds
Oyster Shells are everywhere on this site. apparently if you find the side of the shell with a dip in the bottom that is where the shellfish would have been and its a sign that you have found a dining area or a kitchen , if you find the flat top shells then generally you are searching through Medieval rubbish