More information : (TQ 0920 0915) Late Bronze Age Farm (NR) (site of) (1) An LBA farm, when partially excavated, was found to be coeval with, and similar to the farm on New Barn Down (TQ 00 NE 2). The enclosure, with associated field systems, was sub-rectangular, measuring c 140 ft by c 90 ft, and bounded by a low bank with a SW entrance. Oval depressions occur against the inside and the outside of the S bank. One hut was found within the enclosure but others may have existed. There is no conclusive evidence that the site was occupied after the LBA, though a few sherds of IA and Ro pottery, and a probable 1st c BC Gaulish coin were found (2) (3). At TQ 0913 0903 is an enclosure or barrow, c 15.0m in diameter, visible on APs (4) All features completely ploughed out and the area now under wheat stubble. Enclosure sited on 1/2500 from RAF APs; area of field system taken from APs. (5)
Discussion of post-ring roundhouses from Sussex Bronze Age sites. The house plan excavated at Blackpatch differs in style from "the norm".(6)
The published evidence from the excavations was reappraised as a result of RCHME fieldwork at the nearby Neolithic flint mine complexes at Blackpatch (TQ 00 NE 5) and Harrow Hill (TQ 01 SE 23). These sites were investigated as part of a project to record traces of Neolithic flint mining in England. See the records of those sites for further details.
The Blackpatch enclosure dates to the Middle Bronze Age (following revised dating of Deverel-Rimbury pottery subsequent to the Ratcliffe-Densham's publication) and is comparable in many respects with broadly contemporary enclosures at Cock Hill (TQ 00 NE 1) and New Barn Down (TQ 00 NE 2). In particular it shares with the former evidence for unusual depositional activity and an enclosure bank apparently faced with tabular flint. The single round house excavated featured associated pits and pottery and also yielded the complete skeleton of a lamb or kid, apparently buried between two of the post holes. Integral with the enclosure earthworks were two enclosed depressions, possibly ponds, beside the entrance, one inside and one outside the enclosure. Only one was looked at in any detail. At the base of the depression were flints over chalk. The flints contained Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman pottery (although MBA sherds predominated), plus human and animal remains, flint implements and flakes, a large quantity of burnt flints, an Iron Age coin, apparently of Gaulish origin, and 3 worked discs of tabular flint. (7) |