Sussex Archaeological Society

The Sussex Archaeological Society is marking 175 years of protecting, sharing, and celebrating the county’s history with a new exhibition. Adele Trathan spoke to Museums Officer Emma O’Connor, the curator

Celebrating 175 years of the

WHAT DOES THE SUSSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY DO? We are a charity that celebrates Sussex’s history. We open heritage sites and museums to the public under our Sussex Past brand, including Lewes Castle, Fishbourne Roman Palace and the Long Man of Wilmington. Our work includes research, hosting events, walks, talks, conferences, an extensive education programme, and an archaeological finds service!

We began collecting in 1846, when the word ‘archaeological’ meant anything of historical interest, and the collections reflect this with a huge variety of items that illustrate Sussex history from the prehistoric to modern periods.

WHAT STORY DOES YOUR LATEST EXHIBITION TELL? The items on display showcase the diversity of the collections, from the materials, the types of objects from the

SUSSEX

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The most important figure represented is the radical philosopher and political writer Thomas Paine

extraordinary to the commonplace, and their range of associations and connections. The objects’ intended purposes are equally as varied.

Some are sentimental, such as a late Georgian memento mori bracelet made from human hair. Others are archaeological discoveries, for example the ‘near Lewes’ Middle Bronze Age hoard dating from 1400 – 1240BC, which contains the rare find of five Sussex Loops, only found in the Brighton and Lewes area. Some items tell us about past communities’ beliefs, like the witch bottle from 1650 that was used as a ‘counter measure’ or type of insurance against witchcraft.

We may also have the oldest oranges and lemons in the country; in March 1901, the ‘Indiana’ was on her way from Valencia to London when she sank after colliding with another ship in fog off Worthing. Her cargo of fruit was washed onto local beaches and rumour has it that all anyone could smell for the next few days was marmalade! Also displayed is the ‘Lewes Rat and Spoon’, a mummified rat and silver spoon, kept as a memorial to an unlucky 17th century maid from Lewes who was thrown into the streets accused of stealing the spoon. It was later found in a rat’s nest by builders.

We began collecting in 1846, when the word ‘archaeological’ meant anything of historical interest

WHAT DOES THE EXHIBITION TELL US ABOUT SUSSEX’S CONTRIBUTION TO HISTORY? Sussex’s seafaring links to the rest of the world are clear through the enamelled ‘Cups of Sorrow’, souvenirs made to commemorate the coronation of the last Tsar and probably traded by sailors.

Through the Society’s work and the research of individuals such as Lewes-born palaeontologist Gideon Mantell, who discovered and named the Iguanodon dinosaur, Sussex has made significant contributions to science and history. There is a fossilised footprint from an Iguanodon on display, it’s between 95 and 195 million years old!

The most important figure represented is the radical philosopher and political writer Thomas Paine, who lived at Bull House in Lewes, now the Society’s headquarters, from 1768 to 1774. He was to become an incredibly influential figure in the American Revolution, a father of American Independence and credited with the phrase United States of America. The Sussex Archaeological Society: 175 Years of Collecting will run until 28th February 2022 at the Lewes Castle & Museum, 169 High Street, Lewes. Entry is included in general admission prices and free of charge to Sussex Archaeological Society members. Booking in advance is not required. l For more information, please visit: www.sussexpast.co.uk

01323 440622

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