Burial mound on Downs is Neolithic
A county council archaeologist has found that an unusual 'figure of eight' shaped burial mound at Pashley Down, Old Town, is 1,000 years older than anyone realised.
Rather than a Bronze Age double barrow, as previously thought, it is probably a much rarer Neolithic oval burial mound.
Archaeologist Greg Chuter worked with 15 volunteers from the Eastbourne Natural History and Archaeological Society on two days of topographical and geophysical surveys as part of National Archaeology Week.
They also used their specialist knowledge and high-tech equipment to investigate rumours that there was once a windmill at Willingdon Hill.
They have been able to confirm this by revealing that the windmill's imprint and remains are unmistakably there.
Both sites are Scheduled Ancient Monuments and so permission was sought from English Heritage for the investigations.
Rather than risk damage to the sites by digging into the ground, the earthworks were surveyed and the geophysics of the sites investigated by sending an electric pulse into the ground.
These two days of investigations are part of the annual check on the condition of ancient monuments on the Eastbourne Downs, carried out by county council archaeologists, to assist the Eastbourne countryside ranger in the management of these sites.
Councillor Mathew Lock, lead Cabinet member for transport and environment, said, "Our historic environment is special and irreplaceable.
"I am very pleased to see our archaeologists working together with rangers and volunteers to help us better understand and protect our environment."
Volunteers on this investigation were aged 10 to 70 and several were members of the Eastbourne Natural History and Archaeological Society.
There are many archaeological societies across East Sussex — to find out more about the archaeological society in your area and their volunteering opportunities, call East Sussex County Council archaeologists on 01273 481608.
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Weather for Hastings
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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