[Help] Recommendations for a book on Lewes area (or Sussex) archaeology

[MJsGhost]

Are there any archaeology buffs on NSC who can recommend a good book on Lewes (& surrounding areas) archaeology? It's for a birthday present (for an adult) and an internet search has come up pretty blank thus far.

I might have to resort to buying her membership of the Sussex Archaeology Society for access to their library at this rate (though she won't be able to stick that on her coffee table).

It's pretty niche, but there's always someone on NSC that can help, whatever the subject.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Happy Exile]

If you've got the opportunity to go to Lewes Castle they sell 2nd hand archaeology books there, that I think perhaps come from the Archaeological Society. You can pick up some really good (if you like that kind of thing) out of print books about "old" Sussex, whether that's the past 300 years or 3000. (NB. I've not been since lockdown v1 but no reason to assume it's changed.)

You can also pick up a reprint of volume 1 of "The History and Antiquities of Lewes" from Amazon and elsewhere. The original is 1824 so it's a double-win, being a curious moment in time itself as well as giving some history of the town and surrounding area. From memory it goes right back to pre-Roman times and while understanding and archaeology have moved on since 1824 there's plenty in it where the understanding hasn't changed or particularly evolved.

 

[Chicken Run]

Are there any archaeology buffs on NSC who can recommend a good book on Lewes (& surrounding areas) archaeology? It's for a birthday present (for an adult) and an internet search has come up pretty blank thus far.

I might have to resort to buying her membership of the Sussex Archaeology Society for access to their library at this rate (though she won't be able to stick that on her coffee table).

It's pretty niche, but there's always someone on NSC that can help, whatever the subject.

Thanks in advance!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hidden-His...12&hvtargid=pla-566071466558&psc=1&th=1&psc=1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Weststander]

Dunk: The Colossus

 

[MJsGhost]

If you've got the opportunity to go to Lewes Castle they sell 2nd hand archaeology books there, that I think perhaps come from the Archaeological Society. You can pick up some really good (if you like that kind of thing) out of print books about "old" Sussex, whether that's the past 300 years or 3000. (NB. I've not been since lockdown v1 but no reason to assume it's changed.)

You can also pick up a reprint of volume 1 of "The History and Antiquities of Lewes" from Amazon and elsewhere. The original is 1824 so it's a double-win, being a curious moment in time itself as well as giving some history of the town and surrounding area. From memory it goes right back to pre-Roman times and while understanding and archaeology have moved on since 1824 there's plenty in it where the understanding hasn't changed or particularly evolved.

Thank you - I had seen that and was dubious due to it saying there are missing pages, blurred pages etc (understandable given it’s a re-print from a scan of an old book, but it raised question marks nonetheless). Very useful to know it’s worth a punt from someone who’s read it…

 

[banjo]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/leweshistory.org.uk/2021/07/24/sussex-archaeological-collections-digitised-volumes/amp/

 

[banjo]

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/rare-books/sussex-archaeological-society/sussex-archaeological-collections-relating-to-the-history-and-antiquities-of-eas/1563468871LBT

 

[Happy Exile]

Thank you - I had seen that and was dubious due to it saying there are missing pages, blurred pages etc (understandable given it’s a re-print from a scan of an old book, but it raised question marks nonetheless). Very useful to know it’s worth a punt from someone who’s read it…

Just had a flick through my copy and no missing or blurred pages if that helps, but it is a reprint of a scan as you say, so small 19th century text that's not as crisp as a modern print and a lot of pages!

 

[Cheshire Cat]

A County Community in Peace and War: Sussex 1600-1660 - Anthony Fletcher

It isn't archaeology, but this is excellent about Sussex in the civil war. I found a second hand copy on Amazon for less than fiver a couple of years ago.

 

[Papak]

Are there any archaeology buffs on NSC who can recommend a good book on Lewes (& surrounding areas) archaeology? It's for a birthday present (for an adult) and an internet search has come up pretty blank thus far.

I might have to resort to buying her membership of the Sussex Archaeology Society for access to their library at this rate (though she won't be able to stick that on her coffee table).

It's pretty niche, but there's always someone on NSC that can help, whatever the subject.

Thanks in advance!

I think you are digging a hole for yourself here...

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Are there any archaeology buffs on NSC who can recommend a good book on Lewes (& surrounding areas) archaeology? It's for a birthday present (for an adult) and an internet search has come up pretty blank thus far.

I might have to resort to buying her membership of the Sussex Archaeology Society for access to their library at this rate (though she won't be able to stick that on her coffee table).

It's pretty niche, but there's always someone on NSC that can help, whatever the subject.

Thanks in advance!

There's a bookshop in Lewes High Street called the Fifteenth Century Bookshop. Looks it too, judging by the photos. Says it specialises in second hand and children's books and that its got thousands of titles. They can't ALL be children's books shirley. Maybe worth giving them a call?

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

I found this book to be hugely entertaining - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Piltdown-Man-Charles-Revealing-History/dp/0752425722 .

The guy was clearly potty, a cad and a charlatan and some of his antics took place in Lewes.

 

[MJsGhost]

Thanks for all the good ideas.

I've had my own interest piqued, so decided to order a few and then choose which to keep for myself and which to gift...

On order:
Hidden Histories (Mary-Ann Ochota)
Piltdown Man: The Secret Life of Charles Dawson (Miles Russell)
Sussex - The Archaeology (E Cecil Curwen)
A Country Community at Peace & War (Anthony Fletcher)

NSC comes up trumps again

 

[Man of Harveys]

Get the East Sussex Pevsner. Excellent on Lewes, geology, you name it.