Important Notice

Due to the current COVID-19 situation we are being advised to avoid unnecessary social contact.
Therefore, as a Society we have made the difficult decision to suspend our Lectures and other face-to-face activities including Finds Processing and Meetings from 17th March 2020 until further notice. 

This is a proactive step to protect the well being of our Members and the wider community.

However, we are now planning to hold a programme of online lectures that members can view via the WAS Facebook Page.  Details will be added below as they are arranged.

Events calendar

To sign up to any of our events please Contact us with your name and the event you will be attending.
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The calendar above shows scheduled events from the Worthing Archaeological Society and associated local organisations.  Click event on calendar for further information.  To filter the type of the events shown, use the drop-down arrow on the top-right of the calendar.

The WAS Lecture Programme for 2020-21 is available and can be downloaded as a printable pdf here:
Please note, lectures could change subject to unforeseen difficulties.

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Next 'WAS' events

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For lectures, members have free entry and visitors are asked to make a donation of £4 to the society.
For excavations, a day membership can be purchased for £5.

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9
February
2021

9
March
2021

13
April
2021

*** Online Lecture ***
Lecture: The SOE in WW2 and Nancy Wake
Amie Friend  Archaeologist and Teacher

Following the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk in 1940, England and the new Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, were facing a desperate struggle for freedom.  In the light of the ever-growing threat from Nazi Germany, Churchill formed and tasked a new organisation with an extraordinary mission: To set Europe ablaze.
In this lecture we follow the story of one of this shadowy organisations most enigmatic and enthusiastic members.  This is the incredible story of Nancy Wake.

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*** Online Lecture ***
Lecture: Threats to Our Heritage: defending our heritage, past, present and future
Daryl Holter Sussex Heritage Community
Some take our past heritage for granted; some forget it is amongst our present. We walk on it, drive through it and fly over it. To many I have met it brings belief, understanding, feeling, depth, culture and emotion. A sense of community, ownership, tradition and belonging. It is tangible, it has mystery, it is constant and priceless. When it falls victim to abuse it is all our moral responsibility to protect our past. It is our future generations that should have opportunity to rediscover experience and interpret the old and the new. We are but a custodian of a rich heritage that tells of our journey. Together describes the action needed to preserve our past. Together bonds us as a community, a group or a family. Communities are what hold us together, they watch over our heritage.

*** Online Lecture ***
Lecture: The Material Culture of Medieval Rural Households
Ben Jervis University of Cardiff
This talk gives an overview of the findings of the recently completed project 'Living Standards and Material Culture in English Rural Households, 1300-1600', which combined historical and archaeological data to investigate the possessions of non-elite households in this period. The talk will reveal the diversity of objects acquired by rural households, including cooking equipment, tableware, bedding and furniture, and explore some of the factors which influenced the consumption habits of medieval households.

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Past 'WAS' events

12
January
2021

*** Online Lecture ***
Lecture: Researching the life of a bridge: Old Swan
Bridge and the Arun river crossing at Pulborough,
ancient and modern
John Mills Archaeologist WSCC and President of Worthing Archaeological Society
How do you research the history and changing life of an ordinary small local road bridge? This talk uses archaeology, topography, geology, transport and local history to study the archaeology and history of Old Swan Bridge at Pulborough, built in the 1780s. Previous bridges and river crossings on its site, from Roman Stane Street onwards, the bridge builders and rebuilders, flood and bridge authorities, and the villagers of Pulborough all come into the picture.

8
December
2020

10
November
2020

13
October
2020

16
September
2020

*** Online Lecture ***
Lecture: Emergence of People into the Americas
Robert Turner, Archaeologist and Astronomer
This is a view of the archaeology of North America and how the influx of Europeans in 1460 changed a stone age culture. Before Columbus there was no written history so the picture of North America is a mixture of racial memory and the remains the early peoples left behind.
Members can view the lecture live on the WAS Facebook Group page at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 8th December and a recording will be available there subsequently.

*** Online Lecture ***
Lecture: Primitive Currencies and the Origins of Coinage
Dr David Rudling, Academic Director of the Sussex School of Archaeology
This talk began with a global review of various types of 'primitive'/tribal currencies, such as cowrie shells in ancient China, the stone money of Yap Island, the kina shells of New Guinea, the iron kissi pennies of West Africa, and wampum beads of native North Americans.  We then turned to the independent origins of coinage in China, India and Asia Minor, and the adoption of coinage in Europe.
Members can view the lecture live on the WAS Facebook Group page at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 10th November and a recording will be available there subsequently.

 *** Online Lecture ***
The Con Ainsworth Memorial Lecture: The Edburton Excavations
James Sainsbury
The second of our online lectures.
James will talk about the ongoing excavations at Edburton.
Members can view the lecture live on the WAS Facebook Group page at 7:30 pm on Tuesday 13th October and a recording will be available there subsequently.

 *** Online Lecture ***
Understanding the Sompting Landscape Through Historic Maps
Connie Shirley
The first of our online lectures, and something of a trial-run.
Connie will give a short presentation on changes to the landscape of the EPIC Project dig at Sompting Brooks as recorded in historical maps of the area. 
Members can view the lecture live on the WAS Facebook Group page at 7:30 pm on Wednesday 16th September and a recording will be available there subsequently.

7
March
2020

10
March
2020

11
February
2020

22
January
2020

14
January
2020

23
November
2019

12
November
2019

08
October
2019

8
June
2019

1-15
June
2019

4
May
2019

9
April
2019

12
March
2019

12
February
2019

Half Day School: Boxgrove and the Palaeolithic of the Sussex raised beaches with Matt Pope, Senior Reseach Fellow of the Institute of Archaeology at UCL
Matt specialises in prehistory, particularly the use and transportation of artefacts by early humans, the role of bifacial technology in lower Palaeolithic hunting strategies and social organisation and the geological context of middle Pleistocene human occupation on southern Britain.
This is a half day school in the Education Room , Worthing Museum 10am till 1pm with a coffee/tea and biscuits break mid morning.
Cost £15 to members and £18 non members.  Sign-up using the contact form below.

Lecture: Recovering (from) the past: Archaeology and Operation Nightingale, Richard Osgood, Senior Archaeologist, Defence Infrastructure Organisation
Operation Nightingale started in 2011 with the aim of assisting the recovery of military personnel post operational-tours using archaeology. Since then it has worked on sites as varies as Saxon cemeteries in Wiltshire to crashed fighter planes in Sussex. This talk will draw together many of the fieldwork results, and discuss the outcomes for volunteers and heritage.
AGM at 7.00pm followed by Lecture 7.30pm
To be held in The Gordon Room, Stoke Abbott Rd, Worthing BN11 1HA.
Venue open 7pm for notices, coffee and chat, lectures start at 7:30pm and finish at 8:30pm.

The John Pull Memorial Lecture: An Archaeological Childhood in Sussex, Dr Janet Pennington
Janet grew up in the post-World War II years looking at the ground – daughter of Sussex archaeologists Eric and Hilda Holden. Most of her early memories are of Sussex history, field-walking with her parents and observing, later taking part in, archaeological excavations all over Sussex. This talk takes us back to a more peaceful time with little traffic, no health and safety, and when every outing seemed to be tinged with excitement and mystery.
To be held in The Gordon Room, Stoke Abbott Rd, Worthing BN11 1HA, 7:30pm.
Venue open 7pm for notices, coffee and chat, lectures start at 7:30pm and finish at 8:30pm.

Lecture: Recent Excavation at Blacksmiths Corner,  Paul Mason
Paul Mason, from A.S.E., will talk about their recent Excavation in the fields North-West of ‘our’ Walberton Villa at Blacksmiths Corner.

Lecture: Fishbourne Roman Wildlife Park: new questions from old bones, Professor Naomi Sykes
Over the last 20 years Fishbourne’ s animal remains have been subject to large-scale reinvestigation through a series of projects funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This talk by Professor Naomi Sykes will present the results of this work, highlighting their importance for our understanding of the past but also their significance for modern international animal conservation policy.

The Archaeology of Death and Commemoration - from Neolithic tombs to Commonwealth war grave cemeteries, attitudes to the deceased can be literally set in stone - Simon Stevens

Lecture: The Portable Antiquities Scheme, Carolina Rangel de Lima, Finds Liaison Officer - Sussex
The PAS promotes best practice by finders, landowners, archaeologists and museums in the discovery, recording and conservation of finds made by the public. Carolina is the Finds Liaison Officer for Sussex and will talk about some of the recent finds recorded in our area. She may also bring along a selection of artefacts for handling at the end of the session.

The Con Ainsworth Memorial Lecture: The Malthouse Fields at Sompting–Investigation of Building Remains, Connie Shirley
Worthing Archaeological Society have investigated the building remains in Sompting Paddocks which may be part of a malthouse and farm complex known to be on this site in the 17th Century. Excavations have taken place over three years and a chalk-lined well and further flint walls have been found. Finds recovered include pre-historic flints and pottery from the late Neolithic to the present day. We present a review of the site in the landscape and findings to date.

A Day School on Food and Feasting with Judie English
The day was held at the idyllic Downs Barn, Sompting between 10am and 4pm.
We will look at food and feasting from the days of Homo Neanderthalensis to the Late Medieval/ Early Tudor period and will consider the relationships between food and social culture.
‘Feasting’ usually involves food provided in surplus and consumed wastefully.  The giver both proves his wealth and status by accessing exotic ingredients and having them made into dishes which show that he has good taste and employs the best chefs, and creates a debt owed by his guests.  Having demonstrated his superiority those guests either have to reciprocate in kind (or even better him) or accept public humiliation.  Feasts are often part of socially important events – marriage treaties for example.'
We are hoping to try out some ancient recipes, however there will be the normal mid-morning coffee/tea breaks provided and please bring a packed lunch.
Cost for the day £25 for members.
Downs Barn directions

Sompting Malthouse Field Dig
WAS Field Unit will be returning to the Malthouse Field in Sompting.

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Late Iron Age and Roman Period Pottery Day Course with Gordon Hayden , Roman Pottery Specialist
The course will concentrate on the identification, production and use of pottery found in West Sussex, from the last decades of the Late Iron Age and throughout the Roman period (c. 10BC until AD410). Using presentations and handling, the most common types of pottery will be studied with the aim of differentiating between local, regional and imported pottery.
To be held in The Education Room at Worthing Museum, 10 am to 4 pm.

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Medieval Building Stones in Parish Churches of the Worthing Area - Roger Cordiner and Anthony Brook
Indigenous and imported building stones have been recorded in 316 Medieval churches in Sussex, including Chichester Cathedral and a number of ruined churches where building stone is still visible. This lecture concentrates on the building stones of 55 Medieval Parish churches in the Worthing area, covering 4, 10km grid squares, which includes the area between the Rivers Arun and Adur from the coast to the southern margin of the Low Weald.

AGM at 7.00pm followed by Lecture at 7.30pm
The Clandon Park Project - Tom Dommett
This talk will consider the challenges of archaeological salvage, restoration and the rebuilding of The National Trust property Clandon House in Surrey after the devastating fire of 2015. Tom is the Regional Archaeologist for the National Trust and archaeological adviser for the project, which has been using a combination of excavation and advanced survey techniques to document the structure and learn more about its history and development with a view to future restoration.

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BHAS investigations of medieval remains in Hog Croft, Ovingdean - John Skelton
Hog Croft is a pasture adjacent to the medieval Church of St Wulfran, Ovingdean. BHAS have conducted investigations in this field since the 1990s and these culminated in a four year dig from 2014 to 2017. The field is rich in archaeology and has long been thought to be the site of a Norman manorial complex. The recent excavations revealed evidence of an earlier Saxon community. As well as large amounts of pottery and bone the site has also given up some intriguing objects of special significance.
The John Pull Memorial Lecture

8
January
2019

The Roman Army in Sussex - Edwin Wood
The impact of the invasion and the lasting imprint of the military community throughout
the Roman period.

6
January
2019

11
December
2018

13
November
2018

28
October
2018

WAS New Year Walk
A 1.5mile walk, guided by the Worthing Heritage Tarring Trail leaflet.
To finish up at a hostelry in High St., Tarring.

The Construction of a Neolithic World on Orkney - Jane Russell
There are almost seventy islands in the Orkney archipelago, mostly formed by rocks of the Middle Old Red Sandstone.  This stone splits easily along clear bedding planes and presents little difficulty in quarrying, and has been used for building purposes for the last six thousand years on the islands, and helped in the preservation the archaeology.  The talk will discuss monuments of the Neolithic period, looking at the development of the various chambered tombs, domestic settlements, and the ceremonial heartland of Orkney, including excavations at the Ness of Brodgar. 

Sussex Flint Mines and the early Neolithic Whitehawk Causewayed Enclosure in Brighton - Jon Sygrave
Jon Sygrave is the Project Manager of Archaeology South-East (Centre for Applied Archaeology of the Institute of Archaeology at University College London). The Flint Mines in Sussex are the earliest in Britain with many of them situated within easy reach of Worthing. Jon has recently led the reassessment of the early Neolithic Whitehawk Causewayed enclosure which he will discuss along with the mines and other aspects of the Sussex Neolithic.

Worthing Archaeological Society 'Brenda' Memorial Walk
History of the Steyning Rifle Range with historian Justin Russell
Short walk up Mouse Lane to the historic Rifle Range site.
The track is rough and the ground is uneven - so suitable footwear is necessary.

9
October
2018

Saved by the Sea - Amie Friend
How waterlogged preservation in archaeology develops our understanding of life and society in the past. For example, the thousands of perishable artefacts that were preserved and recovered from the waterlogged location of the Mary Rose are of immeasurable value as a Tudor-era time capsule.
The Con Ainsworth Memorial Lecture
Download the poster.

29
September
2018

An Introduction to timber-framed buildings of the Weald, their development and dating for beginners - Jeremy Clarke of The Wealden Buildings Study Group
This day-school covered terminology, the development and construction of timber-framed buildings, the basics of building recording, how to approach dating a building along with a set of useful resources. The day ended with a group practical session using site photographs and plans to try out the knowledge gained during the day and demonstrate how a building can be interpreted.

30
June
2018

14
Apr

Planning and section drawing training with Bob Turner at the Malthouse dig, Sompting
This was a special training day led by Bob Turner on site at our Malthouse dig. The training was divided into two sections, running concurrently: one for complete beginners and the other, for those who have already done some planning and section drawing to improve their skills. Bob gave instructions on both planning and section drawing making use of the dig’s open trenches, the very best place to learn. 
This was an ideal opportunity for both beginners and those with some knowledge to learn in a real archaeological environment.

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Study Day: West Sussex landscapes and geology for the Archaeologist - Matt Pope
Dr Matt Pope is Principal Research Associate and Senior Teaching Fellow in Palaeolithic Archaeology at U.C.L.
This is a Minibus Day Tour.

10
Apr

Lecture: The Science of a Middle Bronze Age Hord - Dr Jaime Kaminski
In March 2011 a spectacular Middle Bronze Age hoard was discovered by a metal detectorist on land belonging to the Glynde Estate ‘Near Lewes’, East Sussex. Comprising nearly eighty artefacts and artefact fragments the hoard has recently been subject to scientific analysis. This presentation will consider what the analyses tell us about the production of the artefacts in the hoard and the implications for Bronze Age craft production

13
Mar

AGM followed by Lecture: Source to Sea - the River Adur - Dr Geoff Mead
‘Adur: Source to Sea’ takes a visual journey from the sources of the river in central Sussex, through the broad plains of the Wealden clays and sands before heading south through the Downs and on to the Coastal Plain of West Sussex, ending its journey at the current river mouth. This talk looks at the geology, geography and history of this small but fascinating watercourse.

3
Mar

17-25
Feb

13
Feb

9
Jan

12
Dec

25
NOV

14
NOV

15
OCT

Study day: Ice Age in Europe - Matt Pope
Dr Matt Pope FSA MCIfA, Principal Research Associate and Senior Teaching Fellow in Palaeolithic Archaeology at U.C.L.
The record of human occupation in Europe now extends well beyond a million years and involves multiple species of humans in apparently successive waves of colonisation, from the Near East, Africa and Asia.
Europe has always presented challenges to early humans, forested in warm periods and intensely cold and seasonal in the cold ‘glacial stages’ it required adaptation by species initially more suited to open and lightly forested tropical grasslands.
In this day course we’ll cover the archaeological record of successive human species: Homo antecessor, Home heidelbergensis, Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens. We’ll explore the evidence for changes in behaviour including hunting, use of fire, processing organic materials and consider how the British record differs from that of other continental regions.  The course will familiarise you with basic concept about climate and environmental change, stone age technology and latest theories surrounding human evolution.

Fieldwalk: Fittleworth
WAS members have the opportunity to take part in a joint fieldwalk near Fittleworth, West Sussex with Chichester & District AS.  The field has so far produced a number of good quality Mesolithic and Neolithic flintwork.This is scheduled to start on Saturday, 17thFebruary and continue through to Sunday, 25th February, which is likely to be a much greater window than needed. With a good number of walkers and reasonable weather it should be completed in a few days but it does mean that days can be cancelled if the weather is dire.

Lecture: Bridge Farm 2011 to 2017 - Rob Wallace and David Millum
Worthing Library Lecture Theatre 7:30-9pm
Rob Wallace and David Millum, the directors of the Culver Archaeological Project, will give a summary of their excavations of the Romano–British settlement at Bridge Farm, near Barcombe Mills, discovered in 2011 during a geophysical survey for Margary’s London-Lewes road. They will include a brief background to CAP as well and some initial thoughts about how this 1st to 4th century settlement fits into the wider context of south-east Britain in the Roman period and why it qualified for earthwork defences during the late 2nd century. The talk will cover the first 7 years of what looks destined to be a very long and regionally important investigation.
John Pull Lecture

Lecture: The First Brexit How Britain became an island and its effect on Neanderthals, Mesolithic and Neolithic Man - Robert Turner
Over the past 460,000 years Britain has been separated from Europe several times with the final split in 6,200 BC when the disaster of Dogger Land had a great effect into the Mesolithic peoples of that time. Recent discoveries by Imperial College London, operating from Littlehampton, have now been able to draw a picture of "what leaving Europe" meant in times past.

Lecture: The life of a common soldier in the English Civil War - Nigel Rumble
The clothes, weapons and accoutrements used by a soldier in England in the 1640's in his daily life. I will also briefly cover the make up of the armies and talk a very small amount about battle tactics. The talk will be illustrated with (mostly) reproduction clothing and equipment and explanations of their use; there will be an opportunity at the end to examine these items more closely.

Half day school: Place-names and Archaeology in Sussex - Judie English
Judie will discuss Place-names in the Landscape and how they were derived.
Coffee and tea will be provided during a short mid morning break.

Lecture: Evidence for Saxons in post-Roman Sussex - James Sainsbury
Worthing Library Lecture TheatreArchaeology is the key driver in uncovering evidence for Germanic settlement in Sussex during the decline of the Western Roman Empire. The historical documents are few and unreliable, though arguably should not be dismissed outright. This talk will look at some key 5th and 6th century Saxon burial and settlement sites in the county, along with documents, chance finds and new genetic research in an attempt to piece together the birth of the kingdom of Sussex.
James will be bringing some finds from the Highdown Cemetery for handling after his talk.

Walk: around historic Littlehampton with Cheryl Hutchins
A 1.5 hour easy walk around historic Littlehampton. 

10
OCT

30
SEP

Lecture: Iron Age Memory vs. Roman Metaphor; re-reading the archaeology of a Client Kingdom - Gordon Hayden
What was the immediate impact of the Roman Conquest in Hampshire and West Sussex? The lecture will highlight some continuation of Iron Age traditions and how they interplayed with incoming ideas and practices. It will also propose an alternative hypothesis as to why Fishbourne Palace was built.

Study day: led by David McOmish: " Making Sense of Monuments: Landscape Archaeology of Sussex: The Bronze Age"  
David McOmish,  a Senior Archaeological Investigator with English Heritage and a leading British Prehistorian, has, among numerous other achievements,  made several large scale landscape studies of the South Downs. Some of you may remember last year he gave us a wonderful study day which took us up to the end of the Neolithic. This day is likely to prove just as popular.

5-17
AUG

Summer Dig: Rough Copse
Our Summer dig will be from Saturday August 5th to Thursday August 17th inclusive. This time we are going to look at an area in Rough Copse, West of Goblestubbs which showed up on the Lidar.
Setting up/Surveying will take place on August 3rd & 4th, and Recording/Planning/closing the site on August 16th and 17th.

17
JUN

14
MAY

11
APR

Day School: Flint Knapping with Bob Turner
This will be held in the beautiful venue of Downs Barn, Sompting. Bob will tell us about the uses of flint tools in prehistory and demonstrate how to make them, followed by practical sessions where we can try to make our own.

WAS Walk: To commemorate Con Ainsworth on what would have been his hundredth birthday
The George, Burpham.

Lecture: Two Ancient Cities: Archaeology at Butrint and Gjirokastra in Albania - Oliver Gilkes
Worthing Library Lecture Theatre.

18-26
MAR

Excavation by WAS
Slindon Field 20

14
MAR

11
MAR

14
FEB

2 JAN

13 DEC

26
NOV

22
NOV

WAS AGM 19:00 followed by:
Lecture: Why Stonehenge is Where it is - Mike Allen
Worthing Library Lecture Theatre

WAS Study Day: The Archaeology of the Roman Military
Led by Edwin Wood, Sussex Finds Liaison Officer
Education Room, Worthing Museum

Lecture: A Look Back at WAS Field Activities - Keith Bolton
Worthing Library Lecture Theatre

New Years' walk and pub lunch - High Salvington to the Gun Inn, Findon.

Lecture: What does land organisation tell us about social change in late prehistoric Sussex? - Judie English
Worthing Library Lecture Theatre

Lecture: Bronze Age Worthing - Barrows, Beakers and Hoards
Worthing museum

Medieval pottery day with Duncan Brown
Education room, Worthing museum

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