Prehistoric Sussex

Sussex is rich in remains of the prehistoric eras, from the earliest Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age) era when stone tools were first developed by ancient hominids, through the other Stone Age eras (Mesolithic and Neolithic), to the Bronze and Iron Ages up to the Roman invasion of Britain. Many features can still be seen today, including barrows and other tumuli, hillforts and earthworks, flint mines, many on or just below the South Downs, tracks and ancient woodlands, and the legacy of the human inhabitants of Sussex from this time includes burials, stone tools, weapons and jewellery. In this book author Alex Vincent surveys prehistoric Sussex. Alongside well-known sites such as Cissbury and Chanctonbury Rings, the hillforts prominent on the ridge of the South Downs, and the Devil’s Jumps Bronze Age barrows, is a Bronze Age burial mound in Berwick churchyard which may have been used for plague victims in the medieval period. Fully illustrated throughout, this fascinating picture of the prehistoric era in Sussex will be of interest to all those who live in this corner of south-east England or have known it well over the years.

Alex Vincent is a local historian who has been researching Sussex history, the lost villages of Sussex and archaeology for many years, including the discovery of three hitherto unknown shrunken and deserted mediaeval villages where the author noticed earthworks. His previous publications include a series on the Roman Roads of Sussex and other counties in the South East of England and Lost Churches and Chapels of Sussex and his first book for Amberley, Lost Villages of Sussex.