Interesting archaeology talk for the Fryern Ladies’ Probus

Afterwards our Speaker, Caroline Wells, was introduced. Caroline is President of The Sussex Archaeologists’ Society and a tutor at The University of Sussex. Archaeology in the Local Area was the subject.

Caroline gave us a very interesting talk, ’Before the Romans’, with slides on pre-historic archaeology; which started with The Ice Age.

When a pond was being dug in West Chiltington a hand axe was found, beautifully made from a flint and aged between 500-300,000 years old.

Other finds in the areas of Beeding’s Castle and Borough Farm were axe and spear heads, again beautifully made from flint, but broken. Rims and broken handles of amphora, which had been made somewhere in The Bay of Naples, were also found; brought here before The Romans arrived in Britain.

When members of The Field Archaeology were walking two gold coins, made in The Iron Age were also discovered, not used as money to spend but were perhaps gifts or for wages.

Caroline was thanked by Pamela Bertuzzi.

Before the meeting ended Jean Minter congratulated two of our members who will reach 90 years old later this month.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday October 2, at The Roundabout Hotel, when we shall look forward to hearing from Gary Shipton, Editor in Chief of The West Sussex County Times – his talk title being ‘Hold the Front Page.’

Report by Audrey Picthall and Rachel Martin.