Discovery and initial excavations
In 2023, with the help of the Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group (HAARG), we discovered an entire Bronze Age Settlement here at New Coghurst Farm. We found archaeology from this period in all areas of the farm, including a cluster of round houses, field systems, trackways and large animal corrals. What makes the site so unique and exciting are the additional discoveries: a ring ditch burial mound, ritual pits and most surprisingly industrial furnaces for smelting or repurposing bronze that seem to represent a larger network of trade.​
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​We began excavation on the burial mound in the summer of 2023 and recovered over 30 cremations located within the ring ditch of the mound as well as a huge amount of flint tools and flint debitage. We also found an abundance of Middle Bronze Age pottery, the vast majority of which was found within a large ritual pit. A date of 1445BC has been taken from charcoal samples from key areas from the site which confirms a Middle Bronze Age date of occupation but many more samples need to be taken across the site to understand a full occupation timeline.
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A lost Bronze Age landscape in the heart of the Great Weald is slowly coming to light. Each dig unearths new discoveries, inspiring us to ask 'who were these people and how did they live and work with their environment?' Our vision is to partially restore this Bronze Age landscape, by rebuilding the round houses and burial mound, in the hope of once again bringing into view this lost world of our ancestors on the Weald. The excavations are ongoing and will span multiple sites across the farm for several years.
Join the dig team
At Wilding in the Weald community, connection and education are central to our ethos which is why have decided to open up our dig to local people as well as archaeological amateurs and enthusiasts nationwide. We run facilitated digs during the first week of each month from April to September. Anyone is welcome to join regardless of experience but must be over 16 to attend (we do also run separate kid's digs, for children and families who would like to get involved). All training will be provided by site lead archaeologist Cameron Ross.
We aim to keep the dig as accessible as possible to everyone. However, we do ask for a small contribution towards the ongoing costs of running the dig. This is available as a pay-as-you-go fee of £10 to attend a dig day, or a dig week pass for £45. Archaeological sites are expensive to run and significant funding is required to process and analyse all of our findings. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated. Isle Heritage CIC is the main funding body for this project and without this support we could not have achieved such incredible results.
During dig weeks we host a series of ancestral skills workshops, which can be booked alongside dig days. Learn more more about how our ancestors lived and survived on the land by trying your hand at an ancient skill or craft, such as flint-knapping, weaving or smelting. We recommend combining dig days with a workshop or two to get the most out of your visit!
Ancestral Skills Workshops
Educational Groups
We are happy to host private classes or experiences for educational groups during dig season. If you would like to find out more about this option, or make an inquiry please contact us directly via email at wildingintheweald@gmail.com. Let us know the size of your group, the age range, plus any special requirements or interests and we can help you to arrange the perfect experience.