Discovery and initial excavations
In 2023, with the help of the Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group (HAARG), we discovered an entire Bronze Age Settlement here at New Coghurst Farm. We found archaeology from this period in all areas of the farm, including a cluster of round houses, field systems, trackways and large animal corrals. What makes the site so unique and exciting are the additional discoveries: a large ring ditch monument or burial mound, ritual pits and most surprisingly evidence for industrial furnaces for smelting or repurposing bronze that seem to represent a larger network of prehistoric trade.
Pottery found is Middle-late Bronze Age in fabric of a Deveral-Rimbury culture, it could even be representative of a very local typology. Pottery was found across the site yet the vast majority of pottery was found within a large ritual pit found just south of the ring ditch monument.
The pit entirely contained burnt stone, charcoal and neatly stacked, deliberately broken Mid to late Bronze Age pottery. The clay lining of the pit was unburnt, and the entire deposition of artefacts was most likely a single event representative of a lost tradition. Carbon- 14 dated charcoal samples from this site confirmed an 821 BC Late Bronze Age time frame of deposition. Interestingly some of the pottery found within this site was heavily encrusted internally representative of their use, this substance was later defined as being high in copper alloy and therefore associated with bronze or copper smelting, this discovery bridging the many sights that exist here at New Coghurst together as several field systems to the north of the ring ditch monument and ritual pit is located a large site consisting of 4 or 5 different locations in a centralised cluster of activity.
One of these locations was excavated and revealed a clay line furnace within what maybe a building or part of several buildings for smelting or repurposing bronze. Charcoal samples of this location revealed a date of 1372 BC highlighting a long tradition of metal work and possible trade.
In 2023, we discovered a large scale Bronze Age settlement and evidence of earlier Neolithic activity as well as Mesolithic hunter gathers here at the farm. We are currently working with local archaeological societies such as Hastings Archaeological Research Group (HAARG) and Winchelsea And Area History Society (WAAHS) as well as a nationwide set of archaeology enthusiasts to excavate the site and uncover the story of our ancestral past
We began excavation on the ring ditch monument in the summer of 2023 and recovered what initially was thought to be likely over 30 cremations yet may turn out to be something more emblematic of local prehistoric ritual traditions. These concentrated deposits of charcoal, pottery and flint could in fact be Cenotaph burials or ritual depositions as all of these deposits were located only on the southern aspect of the ring ditch and in small clusters and groups Carbon-14 sampling revealing a date of 876 BC. Also located within the ring ditch and within the central aspect of the monument was a large quantity of flint tools and flint debitage associated with a wider settlement activity, as well as a Neolithic hafted flint axe and single jet bead along with a wide clatter of mesolithic flint.
This sight as well as the other sites across the farm are all orientated parallel to the now small creeks that once flowed into the wider estuaries leading to the Brede Valley of which in the prehistoric was a wide tidal water course . It would have been a definite possibility that these water ways were the main highways of trade in the late prehistoric and may explain the existence of our sight here at New Coghurst Farm.
A lost Bronze Age landscape in the heart of the Great Weald is slowly coming to light. Each dig unearths new discoveries, inspiring us to ask 'who were these people and how did they live and work with their environment?' Our vision is to partially restore this Bronze Age landscape, by rebuilding the round houses and uncovering the ring ditch monument, in the hope of once again bringing into view this lost world of our ancestors on the Weald. The excavations are on going and will span multiple sites across the farm for several more years to come.
Multiple DatesFollowing the Herds' Lead Half Day Retreat22 days to the eventSat 07 NovNew Coghurst Farm
The Bell Tent
We have 2 bell tents available to stay in, both have a double bed and come with fresh linen.Both offer views over one of our fields.
We only offer stays to people attending one of our offerings at the farm.
Interested in a Stay on-site
Take a look at our accommodation options, only available for guests coming to join our archaeological digs, workshops or other experiences and events. All accommodation options include access to our toilet and washroom facilities. Email: wildingintheweald@gmail.com to enquire.
Camping
Pitch your own tent or camper van for the night. We only offer camping to people who are attending one of our offerings at the farm.
The Shepherds Hut
Can sleep 2 but it will be cosy! Ideal for 1 person to stay in. Our solar panelled shepherds hut offers a cosy cabin.
We only offer stays to people attending one of our offerings at the farm.
