Site Code.

BUTTSBROW17
Site identification
Car Park, Butts Brow, Willingdon, Eastbourne
and address
County, district
East Sussex
and / or borough
O.S. grid ref. TQ57900170
Geology. Lewes Chalk
Project number. SNUFFLER1704
Fieldwork type. Geophysics
Site type.
Date of fieldwork. 26/03/17
Sponsor/client. Eastbourne Archaeological Society
Project manager. David Staveley
Project

supervisor.
Period summary Neolithic

Project summary.
A geophysics survey on the west side of the Neolithic enclosure at Butts
Brow, Willingdon, Eastbourne
(100 word max)

A Geophysics Survey at Butts Brow, Eastbourne

by David Staveley
Introduction

After a neolithic enclosure was found at Butts Brow, Willingdon, the author was asked to survey
part of the enclosure using GPR, to identify possible features internal to the enclosure for further
excavation. A series of trenches across the bank and ditch had already identified the enclosure as
neolithic from the finds, but from the surface, it doesnt seem to be the usual causewayed enclosure
expected from that period, like the example just to the north at Combe Hill.

Methodology

The survey grid was set up on an arbitrary grid using a Javad Triumph-LS net rover, and was
surveyed to a depth of 30ns using an Utsi Groundvue 3A GPR with a 400MHz antenna, walking
east-west with lines spaced 50cm apart. The data was processed in ReflexW using dynamic
correction, background removal, gain and bandpass filters applied, with the data resampled to 8
readings per metre along the line. Representative time slices are shown to display the most
interesting features. Approximate wave velocity was calculated at 0.06m/s based on curve fitting of
metal hyperbolae.
Results

Time slice at 4.2ns (~19cm)

Time slice at 9ns (~40cm)
Time slice at 15.9ns (~72cm)
Time slice at 28.1ns (~126cm)
Interpretation

GPS survey over GPR interpretation over 1935 aerial photograph

Line features of the GPS survey are shown in red for WWII, purple for 2016 trenches and green for
earthworks. On the GPR interpretation, solid features are shown in red and negative features in
green.

NW corner of survey area : 557978.54E, 101648.64N

SW corner of survey area: 557965.58E, 101590.06N
A) This broad, solid feature around the edge of the copse of trees is known to be a track constructed
during WWII.

B) There are two metalled tracks crossing the site here, which are no longer visible on the surface.
The western branch has a very shallow vertical profile, but the metalling on the eastern branch is
very deep, especially towards the south.

C) These two narrow negative features, visible on the 9ns time slice are likely to be old wheel ruts,
as such features are visible on the surface on the 1935 aerial photograph.

D) This feature appears to be the ditch of the neolithic enclosure. It shows best as a negative feature
on the the 28.1ns time slice, cutting through the natural flint seams and giving a different profile to
the surrounding chalk. Above that, some solid material, most likely redeposited flint, shows on the
line of the ditch. This particular fill extends both ways past the cut through the flint seam,
suggesting the whole thing was dug in a single period, and backfilled in a single period. The
possible causeway or entrance near the northern end of the ditch is actually associated with the
modern track cutting through. No other obvious causeways are visible, but the contrast is very
slight, so such features are easily missed.