South Eastern Archaeological Services
Many people still associate the Field Team of the Institute of Archaeology (University College, London) with its work in Sussex. The unit was set up at the Institute as the Sussex Archaeological Field Unit almost 20 years ago. As it had extended its field of work beyond the counties of East and West Sussex to other areas of Britain and also abroad to Barbados and Hong Kong, the old name no longer seemed appropriate. In 1981 it was re-christened the 'Field Archaeology Unit'. During the 1980s, it undertook major excavations at the internationally important Palaeolithic site at Boxgrove near Chichester and examined prehistoric flint mining, Roman rural settlement, and the medieval origins of urbanism. Over the last few years, the unit has again redirected its activity and set up a new section to manage commercially-funded archaeological work, 'South Eastern Archaeological Services'. The name reflects the present area of most of the unit's activity, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and the London boroughs.
Though it remains part of, and firmly linked to, the Institute of Archaeology in London, the unit now operates from its new offices in the village of Ditchling near Brighton. SEAS undertakes about 80 projects a year ranging from watching briefs on developments, to recording standing buildings, survey work, assessments, and full-scale excavations. The staff of SEAS have a particular interest in the archaeology of the South East both for the historic and prehistoric periods. Recent work in Kent includes survey work on the line of the New Romney and Dymchurch bypasses and an assessment of a village extension at Hawkinge. The unit works closely with developers and planning authorities to ensure that buildings and archaeological remains are identified and recorded before development. SEAS also maintains contacts with local groups and has a commitment to training through annual excavation and surveying courses for the public at Bignor Roman villa.
South Eastern Archaeological Services can be contacted at its new offices at Turner Dumbrell Workshops, North End, Ditchling, Sussex BN6 8TG. Tel: 0273 213461.
Mark Gardiner
SEAS Deputy Director