Field Work > Current & Recent Digs > Burpham High Field
Following on from two seasons of excavations by Worthing Archaeological Society Field Unit at the village of Burpham, this dig investigates possible earthworks in an area (High Field) immediately to the north of Burpham church.
It involved the excavation (by hand) of six evaluation trenches, their location based on aerial photographs and geophysical survey undertaken in August 2026.
It involved the excavation (by hand) of six evaluation trenches, their location based on aerial photographs and geophysical survey undertaken in August 2026.
Drone photograph taken 26 August 2026 by David Chuter
Field Walking - 16 August 2026
Photographs by James Sainsbury
Day 2
Trench H and Trench Aq2 opened today. The edges of a ditch in TrB being defined, another possible ditch/gully in TrC and lots of SFs to be surveyed in. An interesting selection of prehistoric pottery, mostly from TrB ditch fill and lots of happy diggers.
Photographs by Jennie Williamson
Day 3
It may look picturesque but challenging conditions today as very windy, virtually impossible to write a tidy SFs label! Most Trenches finding ditches with pottery and bone in plenty. It was also the Site Directors birthday, not sure he'll be partying tonight.
Photographs by Jennie Williamson
Day 4
Today there are plenty of finds being processed at base, and at the satellite they're kept busy with recording SFs and bone assemblages . Trenches E and K now being opened but the bottom of the ditch in Aq1 is cleaned and fenced off. Digging continues everywhere else.
Photographs by Jennie Williamson
Day 6
Photographs by Jennie Williamson
dAY 7
Trench B being extended, the ditch has bottomed out and a feature full of sand found. Trench J has been opened, Trench Aq2 finished , Trench E the track way and ditches being recorded. More bone assemblages recorded and still some nice prehistoric pot being found. Plenty of activity everywhere.
Photographs by Jennie Williamson
Day 9
Day 8 lost to weather!
Trench Aq2 done and drawn. Trenches J & L hoping to uncover pits. Trench C exposing the terminals either side of the entrance. Finally Connie and Sarah get away from the total station and expose another bone assemblage in Trench H and plenty to keep the finds team going at base and satellite. And a huge thank you to Trevor for the ice creams, never seen diggers leave a Trench so quick!!
Trench Aq2 done and drawn. Trenches J & L hoping to uncover pits. Trench C exposing the terminals either side of the entrance. Finally Connie and Sarah get away from the total station and expose another bone assemblage in Trench H and plenty to keep the finds team going at base and satellite. And a huge thank you to Trevor for the ice creams, never seen diggers leave a Trench so quick!!
Photographs by Jennie Williamson
Day 10
Photographs by Jennie Williamson
Panorama photograph by Alan Beazley