Page:VCH Sussex 1.djvu/367

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EARLY MAN It has been suggested that these last types of instruments belong to the latter end of the neolithic period. The pottery, judging from the specimens which have been examined by the present writer, points to a period extending from the Bronze Age to the Romano-British period ; and its association with flint implements suggests a survival of neolithic forms in stone implements extending down to the period of the Roman occupation, rather than that the pottery is itself of the neolithic period. Pevensey Castle marks the site of another neolithic quarter where flint implements were produced in large numbers. Evidences of neolithic man in the neighbourhood of Beachy Head and Eastbourne have been found in great abundance, by far the larger number of implements having been found by Mr. Stephen Blackmore of East Dean, a shepherd. His collection, which has been made whilst tending sheep on the downs and in the fields, contains some very beau- tiful examples of chipped and ground implements. It is said to be one of the finest collections of neolithic flint implements in private hands in England.' Selections of implements found in this district are exhibited in the museums at Lewes, Brighton, and the Brassey Institute, Hastings, but by far the best specimens remain in the possession of the finder. The whole district around Eastbourne and Beachy Head must have once had a large neolithic population, and characteristic implements of flint and also hammer-stones formed of a species of slaty stone procured from the sea-beach, have been found and are still to be found scattered over practically the entire surface. Implements are specially abundant at some points, and Mr. H. S. Toms, of the Brighton Museum, has been good enough to indicate to the writer three such spots in the Beachy Head district, viz. — (i) the northern slope of Crapham Hill, (2) Pea Down, and (3) a place called the Peak, a spur of the Downs. Along the whole extent of the southern slope of the South Downs neolithic implements, flakes and chips are abundant. It may suffice to mention a few places where they have been specially noted: (i) Near Black Rock, Brighton ; (2) near the Booth Museum, Dyke Road, Brighton ; (3) half-way between the Clock Tower, Brighton, and the Devil's Dyke; (4) Lychpole Hill; (5) another point about 400 yards to the east of it ; and (6) still another point on a spur of the Downs, the last three places being near Cissbury Hill, which is more or less covered by flint chips, flakes, and implements. At Appledram, about i| miles to the south-west of Chichester, there are evidences of a somewhat extensive factory where large numbers of implements, particularly of small types, have been made. Flakes, cores, and waste chips of flint lie plentifully scattered on the eastern foreshore of the most eastern arm of Chichester Harbour, especially at a point near Appledram Church. Mr. W. Hayden of Chichester, who discovered this deposit and who has collected a large number of flint implements and fragments, kindly pointed out the site to the present writer. There appears to be a well- ^ Siissfx Arch. Coll. xxxix. 97. 1 313 40