View the Exhibition online.
This exhibition, curated by Ann Davies, showcased some of the work undertaken in recent years by Chichester & District Archaeology Society (CDAS). Ann is a past chairman of the Society and has been involved in several investigations and excavations. Her exhibition in the David Rudkin Room ran from 27th of May to the 2nd of July. Four places on the coastal plain featured in the exhibition – East Head, Medmerry, Thorney Island, and Warblington.
CDAS have been monitoring the fast-eroding Medmerry shoreline where the sea has been allowed to encroach onto the land creating a salt marsh habitat. Features dating from the Bronze Age to the 20th century have been recorded before being swept away. A potential wooden fish trap was identified at Medmerry, and another confirmed at East Head. Both probably date from the 16th/17th century.
On Thorney Island annual assessments are made of the condition of WWII structures. In addition, investigations into features such as a medieval field system have been undertaken. A number of pieces of Roman pottery and some other artefacts were discovered tucked away in St Nicolas Church on the Island. Apparently, they were found in the 1940s when the base was being developed. CDAS members assessed the pottery, and a permanent exhibition was established in the church. CDAS investigated the Warblington Roman Villa site from 2008 to 2019. These revealed a moderate sized villa complex around a 50-metre square courtyard. It is thought that there would have been an access point from the harbour. Artefacts found at the site can be viewed in a cabinet in the Museum’s Main Room.
