Aerial Investigation and Mapping Report - English Heritage

SUMMARYThis survey involved the interpretation, transcription and recording of all archaeologicalfeatures seen on aerial photographs for part of the South Downs within East Sussex. Theproject area included the coast from Peacehaven to the western edge of Eastbourne,areas of downland and parts of the Ouse and Cuckmere river valleys. This reportexplores some of the key themes identified during the project.This survey is one of three projects designed to characterise the historic environment insample areas of the South Downs National Park (see Carpenter 2008, Young 2011). Theresults also complemented the South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey(Hamel & Lambert 2011; Dickson, Janik, Priest & Royall 2012).The project contributed toNational Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP) Measure 3 Activity 3A4 Identification ofterrestrial assets via non-intrusive survey (RASMIS Project Number 5868 NMP S Downs).The project recorded 655 previously unknown archaeological features and amendeddetails for 265 in the English Heritage National Record of the Historic EnvironmentArchaeological features were recorded with potential dates ranging from the Neolithicthrough to the modern period. Extensive areas of lyncheted field systems highlight thepossibility of, as yet undiscovered, associated enclosed settlements and the need tocarefully consider the relationships of the fields to Bronze Age round barrows and otherfeatures on the Downs. Perhaps one of the most iconic features of this part of the Downsis the Long Man of Wilmington. This hill figure is discussed and its relationship to thenearby earthworks whose perceived antiquity influenced the dating of the Long Man.Dewponds and a livestock enclosure are testament to the sheep kept on the downs.Numerous works were undertaken to improve both the drainage of the Ouse valley andthe navigation of the river itself and evidence of earlier episodes of these works wereidentified. There is good evidence of the First World War army camps at Seaford, andextensive military remains dating to the Second World War. These reflect both the threatof attack from the air or invasion as well as the widespread military training undertakenacross much of the downs. Representations of wartime Newhaven on aerial photographsand in war art are discussed.CONTRIBUTORSThe interpretation, transcription and recording were carried out by Edward Carpenter,Fiona Small, Martyn Barber, Robert Skinner, and Cathy Stoertz. Edward Carpenter, MartynBarber and Fiona Small wrote the report. Helen Winton compiled and edited the reportand produced some of the illustrations.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThanks to Luke Griffin and the English Heritage Archive Services team for supplying theexceptionally large numbers of photographs. Thanks to Gregory Chuter and staff at EastSussex County Council for information, help and advice. Thanks to Richard Beckett,Newhaven Historical Society for information regarding wartime Newhaven. Thanks toMargaret Thorburn for the kind gift of her publication on the Ouse Valley. Finally, thanksto Alun Martin, librarian of the Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photography forthe loan of their photographs.© ENGLISH HERITAGE 22-2013