A fantastic opportunity to hear about the rich and diverse archaeological sites cared for by the National Trust and the varied work of the National Trust’s Archaeologists.
The event will feature four presentations:
Smallhythe discoveries
Smallhythe is perhaps best known as the home of famous Victorian actress Ellen Terry but recent archaeological excavations by the National Trust and Archaeology South-East have shown that activity at the site stretches back over 2,000 years. In the medieval period, the site was used for shipbuilding, with a number of royal vessels built there for Henry V and Henry VIII during the 15th and 16th centuries. As a unique survival of a medieval shipbuilding site, Smallhythe is highly significant for the study of nautical archaeology of the period. We have also uncovered evidence showing Roman activity at the site, including tiles stamped with the sign of the Roman fleet – The Classis Britannica.
Beningbroughs rediscovered
Beningbroughs rediscovered will look at the archaeological work taking place beside Beningbrough Hall, eight miles north of York. Following initial investigations with Channel 4’s Great British Dig in July 2021, work is currently underway to discover more about the creativity of Beingbrough’s seventeenth century gardens before they are “put beyond investigation” under a brilliant new garden designed by RHS Gold medal winner Andy Sturgeon.
Changing Chalk partnership
Changing Chalk is a partnership of organisations focused on restoring lost habitats, bringing histories to life, and providing new experiences in the outdoors across the South Downs landscape. Looking at the formation of the Downland, we will look at how people have used the Downs, and the monuments that they have built on them. Part of this partnership is the Monument Mentors project which seeks to undertake conditions surveys of the monuments on the Downs, and the Downs From Above project, which examines new data, archaeology mapped from aerial photos and LiDAR surveys in the downland to the North of Brighton.
Heritage and Archaeology Ranger Team (HART) initiative
Heritage and Archaeology Ranger Team (HART) initiative will look at the role of volunteers in supporting the work of Archaeologists at the National Trust. This will be set out in the context of the Trust’s conservation objectives and the wide range of the archaeological resources that it cares for.
Duncan Coe
Nathalie Cohen
Mark Newman
