Plumpton Roman Villa

Main Trench where the villa is thought to be situated.

Much overdue, but during my week of annual leave I was also able to spend two days on the Sussex School of Archaeology (SSA) summer project out in Plumpton, East Sussex. What a gorgeous site, tucked away behind the college in a field of corn (they looked like leeks). The site itself has been known about for quite some time (circa the past 30 years) through extensive field-walking and geophysical survey. There is thought to be a Roman villa with a hypocaust system (heated flooring), bathhouse,  a ditched enclosure and field system. The date, however is still unknown. Hence the need for an archaeological investigation!

Lizzie and Megan washing finds.

Ditched Enclosure.

 We began by attempting to find the edge to the ditch. Not as easy as it sounds. There is extensive plough damage and the soil was quite confusing to read as it kept appearing as if there were other features next to the ditch.

Some bits and bobs were recovered - pottery, teeth, a nice bone specimen.

Sadly I  have not been able to return to the site for the past week and a half so I am intrigued if any questions have been answered or, as archaeology tends to go, if a plethora of even more questions has arisen!

Another ditched enclosure? Pete is surveying the trench.