Page:VCH Sussex 1.djvu/360

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A HISTORY OF SUSSEX possibility of this form of misconception. In the Paleolithic Age not only was stone employed, but weapons and tools were made of bone, horn, wood, and doubtless other substances. In the working of flint, however, man does not seem to have discovered the art of shaping it by grinding. Chipping in bold, skilful fashion, so as to detach large frag- ments by each blow, was characteristic of the paleolithic tool-maker. Comparatively few paleolithic remains have been found in Sussex. Sir John Evans, however, records the discovery of implements at Bell's Farm, Friston, near Eastbourne ; at East Dean ; and in the so-called Elephant-bed near Brighton. In 1893 a small ovate implement, about 3 in. by 2^ in., was found on high ground at Midhurst, which is now in the possession of Mr. R. C. Fisher. In 1897 Mr. William Hayden of Chichester found a well-made paleolithic implement at Appledram. It is of somewhat ovoid form at present, but its shape has been considerably modified by injuries. The edge particularly has been broken, and the owner has repaired the damage, not quite satisfactorily, by restoration in putty. It measures 5-0- in. by 3^ in., but has clearly been somewhat larger in its complete state. Another distinctly paleolithic implement, about 3I in. by 2-| in., believed to have been obtained in the Broadwater district, is now in the possession of Mr. Frank Lasham of Guildford. The discovery of a fine boldly-struck flake of paleolithic character at Wiggonholt, in 1904, by Mr. W. Paley Baildon, F.S.A., suggested to Mr. R. Garraway Rice, F.S.A., the advisability of putting upon record all the available details of paleolithic implements already found in Sussex. It induced him, moreover, to make careful examinations for further specimens, particularly in the river-gravels of the Arun and the western Rother in and around the Pulborough district. The result of Mr. Rice's researches has been to add three more paleolithic sites to Sussex, viz. Coates, Fittleworth and Greatham. The implements from Fittleworth much resemble those already mentioned as having been dis- covered at Midhurst and in the Broadwater district; whilst the large and somewhat roughly shaped implement found at Coates measures rather over 5I in. in length and is of a distinct type. Mr, Rice communicated, 2 February 1905, to the Society of Antiquaries of London a minute account of these various Sussex discoveries, and his paper will be found in Proceedings J vol. xx. pt. 2. The Neolithic Age This age, in England at any rate, is believed to have been separated from the Paleolithic Age by something more than an advance in culture. It is probable that important physical changes took place, during which, what we now know as the British Isles was separated from the continent of Europe. On the continent, probably, there was continuity of human life, but it seems improbable that this was the case within these islands. 310