Field work > Current & Recent Digs > Sompting > Whitehouse
The WAS dig at Sompting took place between 15th July and 3rd August 2024. As with last year, the focus was on the western edge of the Malthouse Fields, on the corner of Church Lane and West Street. The area is listed as The Whitehouse on the 1627 map of the area, so the goal has been to determine whether there was a building on the site and whether it could be dated to any period.
The weather was not always with is us so we had some heroic efforts as the team battled first the cold drizzle and later heat and humidity. To the credit of all we did not lose a day’s digging because of the weather.
This year we found the extent of the chalk/flint flooring which we dated to around the mid 16thC to late 17thC from pottery and clay pipe remains (of which there were many!). The clay pipes provided good dating evidence (our earliest one dated to 1580.) Equally abundant on this surface were the oyster shells which our diligent finds team carefully counted. Across the surface we found a number of post holes and post-pad support flints together with wall remains suggesting the outlines of the buildings.
The date range for finds astonished us with the earliest being an upper Palaeolithic flint and the last coin of the last day was a George VIth shilling (from the year of my birth!).
On the eastern edge of the excavation, we found building demolition and heaps of oyster shells and a midden pit. So perhaps this was the back wall and rubbish was tossed over it!
Abutting the wall footings excavated last year, we uncovered an area of substantial flint over a layer of burning which yielded many sherds of blackened vessels. Part of the finds processing exercise will be to see whether we have whole vessels.
We knew from last year that the chalk/flint floor had sunk and been repaired over a pit feature. This year, this was expanded to expose a half-section. Finds indicated the pit dated from the medieval period and was completely devoid of any clay pipe remains.
One intriguing find from the base of the pit was a Caen stone block with a smooth bowl shape carved out of it. Was it a liturgical instrument used to hold holy water?
For those who would like to undertake a little research, John Mills suggested that the Dutch paintings of the 16th and 17th C might shed some light on how our building might have been used if it were a tavern. Certainly, Pieter de Hooch’s inn scenes and his work “Card Players in a Sunlit Room” give us a clue about the clay pipes on the floor.’
Connie Shirley, Dig Director
Alan Beazley has produced a 3D rendering of the pit feature that can be viewed here: Pit 3D
The daily progress of the excavation is recorded below:
The weather was not always with is us so we had some heroic efforts as the team battled first the cold drizzle and later heat and humidity. To the credit of all we did not lose a day’s digging because of the weather.
This year we found the extent of the chalk/flint flooring which we dated to around the mid 16thC to late 17thC from pottery and clay pipe remains (of which there were many!). The clay pipes provided good dating evidence (our earliest one dated to 1580.) Equally abundant on this surface were the oyster shells which our diligent finds team carefully counted. Across the surface we found a number of post holes and post-pad support flints together with wall remains suggesting the outlines of the buildings.
The date range for finds astonished us with the earliest being an upper Palaeolithic flint and the last coin of the last day was a George VIth shilling (from the year of my birth!).
On the eastern edge of the excavation, we found building demolition and heaps of oyster shells and a midden pit. So perhaps this was the back wall and rubbish was tossed over it!
Abutting the wall footings excavated last year, we uncovered an area of substantial flint over a layer of burning which yielded many sherds of blackened vessels. Part of the finds processing exercise will be to see whether we have whole vessels.
We knew from last year that the chalk/flint floor had sunk and been repaired over a pit feature. This year, this was expanded to expose a half-section. Finds indicated the pit dated from the medieval period and was completely devoid of any clay pipe remains.
One intriguing find from the base of the pit was a Caen stone block with a smooth bowl shape carved out of it. Was it a liturgical instrument used to hold holy water?
For those who would like to undertake a little research, John Mills suggested that the Dutch paintings of the 16th and 17th C might shed some light on how our building might have been used if it were a tavern. Certainly, Pieter de Hooch’s inn scenes and his work “Card Players in a Sunlit Room” give us a clue about the clay pipes on the floor.’
Connie Shirley, Dig Director
Alan Beazley has produced a 3D rendering of the pit feature that can be viewed here: Pit 3D
The daily progress of the excavation is recorded below:
Day 1 - 15 July 2025
So good to be back on site and thanks to lots of tall people the finds tent and gazebo went up quickly before the showers. After a quick coffee break everyone was busy getting stuck in.
Day 2 - 16 July 2024
It was mostly cleaning back top soil today but still some nice finds coming in , some unexpected.
Day 3 - 17 July 2024
Much warmer on site today so taking the trowelling slowly. Plenty of finds to sort and process.
Day 4 - 18 July 2024
Hot stuff in the trench today ... and the archaeology wasn't bad either. Still defining the surface extent and uncovered a cheeky post hole.
Day 5 - 19 July 2024
Even hotter stuff in the Trenches today, well done to everyone who carried on. We were a little more comfortable in the finds tent but still warm!
Day 6 - 20 July 2024
Making good progress on trowelling back to surfaces with 'edges'? appearing. Lots of pot, clay pipe etc keeping the finds team busy including some of the period we're hoping for and the odd lost toy some of you may remember playing with.
Day 7 - 22 July2024
Much of the same today with heads down against the miserable weather.
Day 8 - 23 July 2024
Some nice edges and surfaces being cleaned with lots of recognisable pottery, clay pipe bowl, oyster shells and CBM coming out to keep the finds team busy. And a photo to prove we take well earned breaks!
Day 9 - 24 July 2024
Much better weather and a lovely amount of people on site giving us the luxury of 3 washing the finds piling up. More deposits of groups of large oyster shells and drawing being done.
Day 10 - 25 July2024
A half day; Rain stops play, a hardy few made the most of the slightly drier morning.
Looking much better for tomorrow.
Looking much better for tomorrow.
Day 11 - 26 July 2024
Catching up on the paperwork, more post holes? Going under last year's sealed context and even more clay pipe, bone and oyster shells to process ! Having a wonderful time.
Day 12 - 27 July2024
Just a small team yesterday, but much achieved. Some excitement as Martin starts our first sealed context pit which has no pipe stems or bowls.
Day 13 - 28 July 2024
Much pondering on site, more drawing being done, Martin's pit getting bigger and then just as we're all starting to think of getting home for a shower and cold drink Vicky uncovers a layer of burning under the flints including a nice sherd of pot. So many finds, I'm not sure when we'll get on top of them!
Day 14 - 27 July 2024
Day 14 on site & it’s a beautiful day & a great turnout.
Day 15 - 30 July 2024
Very hot but did not put anyone off.
Day 16 - 31 July 2024
Have we found a cooking area and why the big deep pit? Some great work despite the heat today and its definitely a day for green glazed pottery.
Day 17 - 1 August 2024
The penultimate day. Just a panoramic view of everyone working hard considering the heat and humidity. The best thing was Connie treated us all to an ice lolly, very much appreciated. Nice to welcome Marcus and Belén on site today.
Day 18 - 2 August 2024
Last day of digging and cleaning, lots of pits of all shapes and sizes and tent taken down . Still a few jobs tomorrow and clearing the site on Monday .
A huge thanks to wonderful Connie for directing us all . If we had a £1 for every oyster shell taken out we'd all be off on a cruise next week!
A huge thanks to wonderful Connie for directing us all . If we had a £1 for every oyster shell taken out we'd all be off on a cruise next week!