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Prehistoric
A few pieces of worked flint were noted on the eastern boundary of Cheales mead (TA 695).
Romano-British
Twenty four sherds of Romano–British pottery and occasional fragments of broadly contemporaneous tile (including box flue, floor and tegula) were found across the area of inspection.
It should be noted that the presumed alignment of the London –Lewes Roman road crosses the westernmost end of Barn Field.
Medieval
Thirteen 12th-early 13th century pot sherds were located across the field.
Two hundred and forty seven sherds assigned to the 13th-14th century were also collected, with the vast majority of these being discovered within the central zone of the field-walked area.
One hundred and twenty three sherds of 15th-mid 16th century pottery were identified, with the centre of the investigated land parcel again proving the most productive.
Post-medieval
Sixty five pot sherds of mid 16th-early 18th century origin and seven 17th century clay pipe segments were located, with a distinct concentration of pieces being recorded within the south-easternmost corner of the field-walking grid.
One hundred and seventy five sherds of 18th-19th century pottery and two clay pipe segments of certain 19th century date were found across the inspected area. A vast quantity of Post-roman brick/tile was also noted.
The artefactual evidence presented above suggests that manuring of the field under consideration took place during the Romano-British period and mid 12th-early 13th century. The central part of the investigated area then appears to have been the scene of significant settlement activity from around the mid 13th century right through to the mid 16th century. After this time it is possible that at least one new focal point of occupation became established towards the south-easternmost corner of the field-walking grid and remained in existence/use until c.1750. A map of 1779 (64) shows a dwelling in the north-eastern corner of Cheales Mead (TA 695) that was lost by 1840. Gallops Farm (now lost) which lay adjacent to the area central to Barn Field was an early medieval house.
Method: Northernmost area of field divided into 50m. x 50m. squares and subjected to concentrated line-walking (lines c.2m. apart).
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