‘No plans’ for battlefield dig

English Heritage has denied reports it is planning to hold fresh archaeological digs on the 1066 battlefield.
11/10/14- Battle of Hastings re-enactment, Battle. SUS-141110-18062400111/10/14- Battle of Hastings re-enactment, Battle. SUS-141110-180624001
11/10/14- Battle of Hastings re-enactment, Battle. SUS-141110-180624001

Author Nick Austin, who believes the Battle of Hastings actually took place in Crowhurst, claimed he was told by a ‘mole’ in the organisation that archaeologists would be returning to Battle at Easter.

He claimed ‘public pressure’ had led to a new dig.

Mr Austin said: “Having not found anything relevant to the period of the Battle of Hastings at the Battle Abbey site, not a belt buckle, pin, ring of chain mail or even a button, the claim that the Battle of Hastings was fought at Battle Abbey by English Heritage history experts is currently in ruins and needs a big fix.”

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He added: “My view is that the investigation is welcomed and let us agree that a proper investigation of that site is essential in order to eliminate it from the search.

“That continues in the Crowhurst Valley, where documentation in the Chronicle of Battle Abbey confirms it is to be found.”

But Jo Stewart, property manager at Battle Abbey, says there are currently no plans in the pipeline for a excavation of the 1066 battlefield.

Jo told the Observer: “English Heritage currently have no plans to run archaeological excavations of the battlefield, although we are always happy to listen to academic proposals.

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“The academic consensus is, and has always been, that the Battle of Hastings battlefield site is within the current registered battlefield, and no convincing arguments for alternative sites have ever been presented.”

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