South Downs Beachy Head to the River Ouse: Aerial Investigation and Mapping Report
Author(s): Fiona Small, Edward Carpenter, Martyn Barber
This report describes highlights from a survey of archaeological features seen on aerial photographs. The project area included the coast from Peacehaven to Beachy Head, areas of downland and parts of the river valleys of the Ouse and Cuckmere. This survey is one of a number of projects designed to characterise the historic environment in sample areas of the South Downs National Park. Archaeological features were recorded with potential dates ranging from the Neolithic through to the modern period. Discussions include a review of evidence for long barrows, and an exploration of field systems in relation to round barrows. There are sections on medieval and post medieval farming and reclamation of the Ouse valley. Extensive First World War and Second World War remains reflect the threat of attack from the air or invasion and widespread military training undertaken across much of the downs. Representations of wartime Newhaven on aerial photographs and in war art are discussed. This Long Man of Wilmington is discussed and its relationship to the nearby earthworks. These include a number of features which were previously thought to be prehistoric or Roman and whose perceived antiquity influenced the dating of the Long Man.
- Report Number:
- 22/2013
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 105
- Keywords:
- Bronze Age Iron Age Medieval Neolithic Post Medieval Roman Aerial Photograph Interpretation First World War Aerial Photography National Mapping Programme
