Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society - public

21/08/2026

Heritage Open Days 2026

"Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE."

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/about-us.html

15/08/2026

Back at Hale Farm today, another scorcher ☀️

S***f scoop (not a marrow spoon), curious sherd, and emerging brick...

What do you think we'll find next?

15/08/2026

We are celebrating Heritage Open Days 2026 - England's biggest heritage festival of history and culture - by opening our doors for free for 3 days in September!

For the 11th, 12th and 13th September 2026 Fishbourne Roman Palace, the largest known Roman residential palace north of the Alps is entirely free to visit.

Built around AD 75, it features remarkably preserved mosaics, archaeological remains, reconstructed Roman gardens, and an on-site museum.

Visit our Collections Discovery Centre on site, which is home to over 300,000 artefacts from Fishbourne and the surrounding area, and explore our latest research in the Conservation Lab and glimpse into our Sensitive and Bulk Store.

If the weather is nice bring a picnic and enjoy the gardens too!

📆 11th, 12th, 13th September 2026
⏰ 10am - 4.30pm
🎟️ Book tickets on our website https://sussexpast.co.uk/whats-on/heritage-open-days-2026-fishbourne-roman-palace/

12/08/2026

Thank you to everyone for making the excavation Hale Farm Campsite happen including liaising with Archaeodiscovery

We will be investigating the site of a former Victorian lime kiln and a medieval field boundary located in a pasture behind Hale Farm, Chidingly, in partnership with Archaeo Discovery.

The project schedule will be on Saturdays in August and September.

Want to join a future session? Register and book here: https://buff.ly/AKAopv6

Become an Archaeologist for the Day at Hale Farm Step back in time at the beautiful, historic site of Hale Farm and experience life on a real archaeological dig. Explore a medieval Sussex farmstead, see genuine finds up close, and help uncover its hidden past. Grab a trowel and join us in the trench...

09/08/2026

A huge thanks to Janet for a fascinating talk about the Woodard schools and a look inside the chapel. The added bonus was a sneaky peak at a film recording and hearing young choristers rehearsing Alighieri’s Miserere.

08/08/2026

Digging at Hale Farm Campsite today ☀️

The ground is so dry and dusty, luckily we had Bruce to do regular watering!

Thanks to everyone from Archaeodiscovery for the wonderful company.

Want to join in the future: https://buff.ly/AKAopv6

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

BHAS Day-School: Writing an Archaeological Report with Simon Stevens

Saturday October 31st

Writing up an archaeological site can by a daunting prospect, but drawing together the various elements of the site record can also be extremely satisfying and rewarding. This day-school is aimed squarely at those who find themselves staring blankly at stacks of context sheets wondering where to start. The day-school aims to reduce the terror and provide a few pointers.

Beginning with an overview of what you’ll need to have at your disposal in the first instance. Followed by the various types of reports, such as the site, the artefacts, human and animal bones, environmental, etc. The aim will be to use examples of good and bad practise to show how to construct an archaeological report. And relax, there will NOT be a test at the end….

As a potential ice-breaker, it is hoped that participants will bring in their favourite archaeological publication, and say briefly why they like it (not compulsory, just a bit of fun but useful in gauging what works for everyone).

To book a place, please DM for info

BHAS Members £10 and non-members £20

05/08/2026

Project heads up by Brighton Young Archaeological Club in Bevedean Brighton in July 2023. Wonderful Community digging!

29/07/2026

29th July, 7pm – 8pm Online

This is Archaeology: Archaeology and nature recovery: how the past can help us build a more biodiverse present and future, speaker Nick Overton

Hosted by the Council for British Archaeology

This event is free to attend, but registration is required

We are living in worrying times. Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss present a huge threat to the species, places and landscapes we love. In the face of this global challenge, it is easy to feel helpless or sidelined-as an archaeologist, I have regularly wondered how, and if, I can make a positive contribution to the biodiversity loss we are seeing all around us.

This may seem a huge challenge, but in this talk I want to deliver a message of hope, founded on the belief that archaeology has a set of ‘superpowers’ that can uniquely contribute to nature recovery. Taking inspiration from a range of Oxford Archaeology’s current work related to nature recovery, I will outline three ways that archaeology can play its part. Firstly, I will discuss how our detailed understanding of environments in the past can play a potential role in shaping current and future habitats. Secondly, I will explore the wide range of species and habitats that historic and archaeological sites can support, and the opportunities there are to enhance these sites for nature recovery. Finally, I will think about how we write about humans, animals, plants and environments in the past, and how these narratives can inspire people today to think differently about the world around them.

More info: https://www.archaeologyuk.org/get-involved/events-and-activities/event-calendar/this-is-archaeology-archaeology-and-nature-recovery.html