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The Big Dig – a community archaeology project

An exciting community archaeology project will reveal the fascinating history of Brede High Woods with iron and charcoal workings thought to date back as far as 600BC, writes Christopher Cormack.

Brede High Woods is situated six miles north of Hastings in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, lying on the south-facing slopes of a tributary valley of the River Brede.It is a complex of ancient coppices, conifer and sweet chestnut plantations and areas of open heathy ground. They were purchased by the Woodland Trust in 2007 as a place for quiet enjoyment.Brede High Woods

Volunteers can take part in field work including archaeological excavation, archaeological survey, washing and marking finds, as well as a host of support activities including archive research, photography and administration. Brede Furnace has left a legacy of charcoal hearths, saw-pits, iron ore pits and other earthworks in the woods. The excavations will attempt to date these and a mediaeval farm stead, determine their use, their construction and how it relates to other historic features in the landscape.

Today Brede High Woods are a quiet and tranquil place in which to relax and enjoy the trees and wildlife, but this place belies its industrial and agrarian past.   An in-depth on-site survey work and historical literature study of Brede High Woods completed in 2009 uncovered a truly fascinating, varied and complex history. This revealed saw pits, wood banks, field banks, house sites, animal yards and farmsteads, iron ore pits, charcoal hearths to name just a few features.

Using historical records the project can discover the ownership, manorial customs, rights, and how the land was managed.  The findings will be used for two reports, on-site interpretation and presentations. Work commenced in 2011, but more volunteers are needed for work from September 2012 on and again in May 2013.

Chris Butler, the archaeologist in charge, says the community excavation at Brede High Farm already underway has produced some  really interesting results.  He reports that they have located the brick foundations of what appears to be the cellar of the farmhouse, almost two metres below ground level, but these appear to be the only surviving remains of the farmhouse. They have uncovered the foundations of an oasthouse, although its adjacent store building appears to have been totally robbed-out during the demolition of the farm in the 1930’s. The best preserved remains are a small outbuilding, walled yard and pigsties where some wall foundations survive up to 0.5m in height..

The Woodland Trust has secured a ‘Your Heritage’ grant from Heritage Lottery Fund to run this project up to to June 2014. Chris Butler Archaeological Services leads this very important project on behalf of the Trust.Brede High Woods

The woods are full of history and there’s some incredible and rare wildlife. No wonder it has become a magnet for professional naturalists as well as ordinary visitors enjoying the inspiring landscapes in this 262-hectare (647 acre) site. Some parts of Brede are ancient woodland; other parts were farmed, coppiced or planted with conifers, which are gradually being removed. Some coppicing will be continued, and Brede’s paths and bridges will be maintained to allow everyone to come and enjoy this wonderful site.

If you would like to volunteer on this project, please download and fill out this form

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/brede-high-woods/Documents/Community%20archaeology%20volunteer%20pdf.pdf

Alternatively, if you would like to take part please contact Chris Butler Archaeological Services via email brede@cbasltd.co.uk or call 01323 811785.

The B2089 Broad Oak to Cripps Corner road runs along the northern edge of Brede, and there’s a car park behind the roadside lay-by. Surrounding lanes have other entrances.  Buses stop at Cripps Corner, 400m from one entrance.

To read more on the history of Brede High please see

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/brede-high-woods/Pages/history.aspx?wood=5605#.T8OJs7BYvsY

and: http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/brede-high-woods/Documents/4304%20Brede%20booklet%20History.pdf

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Posted 21:24 Wednesday, Jun 13, 2012 In: 1067 & All That

Also in: 1067 & All That

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