An Archaeological Childhood in Sussex

Presentation By Dr Janet Pennington

Janet grew up in the post-World War II years, looking at the ground – daughter of Sussex archaeologists Eric and Hilda Holden. Most of her early memories are of Sussex history, field-walking with her parents and observing, later taking part in, archaeological excavations all over Sussex.

A vivid early memory is going into a Neolithic flint mine on Church Hill, Findon with her father. Revising for her Latin ‘O’ Level in the windy Adur valley while her parents conducted a rescue dig meant that one of the resulting skeletons (c.AD 1000) had to be stepped over carefully at home in Hove, in order to reach the piano for her daily practice. Jigsaws were done with medieval pottery sherds, in trays of sand, and there were always pieces missing This talk takes us back to a more peaceful time with little traffic, no health and safety, and when every outing seemed to be tinged with excitement and mystery.

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  • June 6, 2024
  • 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm