Fieldwalking: Spearhams H176, H177, H178, H179, H180, H181, H183, H191, H277, H278, H279, H284, H285, H286

Prehistoric
A large assemblage of 569 pieces was collected in this field, with a significant proportion of these pieces likely to be Mesolithic. The cores include a range of flake, blade and bladelet cores, with many being multiple platform and quite small, and exhibiting evidence of platform preparation. At least 40% of the flakes, blades and bladelets are probably Mesolithic; whilst two crested blades, a core tablet and other core rejuvenation pieces are also Mesolithic. No implements could be assigned to the Mesolithic with any certainty, although some of the scrapes are probably of this date. Some of the debitage could be Early Neolithic, and the presence of a leaf-shaped arrowhead indicates that there is activity in this period here. Some of the assemblage is likely to date from the Later Neolithic or Bronze Age, although there is little that can be assigned with any certainty. The majority of the debitage is undiagnostic and could be from any of these periods.

Romano-British
Forty pot sherds and three tile fragments of Romano-British origin were collected, with the most productive zone being located in the north-westernmost corner of the investigated area. No Romano-British artefacts were found across the central band of the land parcel.

Medieval
Three 11th-12th C., 10 definite 12th C. and two 12th-13th C. pot sherds were identified. A distinct concentration of these early medieval wares was recorded within the north-westernmost corner of the fieldwalking grid. Three hundred and fifty eight sherds of 13th-14th C. pottery were retrieved from right across the area of inspection. Although perhaps simply indicative of manuring, relatively large groupings of this material were noted towards the north-western and south-eastern ends of the land under consideration. One hundred and twelve sherds of 15th C.-mid 16th C. pottery were collected, with most of these finds being located at the north-western end of the fieldwalked area.

Post-medieval
Fifty five pot sherds assigned to the mid 16th-early 18th C. and ten 18th-19th C. sherds were also recovered. Again the densest concentration of Post-medieval wares was found within the north-westernmost corner of the inspected grid. Other discoveries include Post-roman tile fragments, 24 17th-19th C. clay pipe segments and an early 18th C. copper alloy token. Two Post Medieval gun flints were also found.

Coins
A Silver Soldino was found during fieldwalking in Spearhams (H277) VENICE, Doge Francesco Foscari, 1423-1457. Obverse: FRA FOSCA[RI] DVX, Doge walking left, holding banner, NC in field. Reverse: + S MAR[C]VS V[ENT]I, Head of lion facing. NC: mint-mark of Natale Corner, 1452. Reference: Corpus Nummorum Italicorum Vol. VIII, Veneto, page 130.

©2007 Sussex Archaeological Society






Tithe Data

285 Part of Long Furlong
Ref: H285
Landowner: Shiffner, Rev. George (Glebe)
Occupier: Shiffner, Rev. George & others
Name and
Description		 Part of Long Furlong
Cultivation: Arable
A.R.P. 1.3.16

1841 Census
No

Tenement Analysis
Yes

Buildings
No

Archaeology
Yes

Old Maps
No

Further Information
No