Sussex Archaeological Society
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox organization The Sussex Archaeological Society is an organisation dedicated to researching and preserving the history and archaeology of the English counties of East Sussex and West Sussex. It manages six historic sites, including Lewes Castle and Fishbourne Roman Palace.<ref name=aboutsas>Sussex Archeological Society, "The history of the Sussex Archaeological Society". Retrieved 12 April 2023.</ref>
History
[edit]The discovery in 1845 of remains of Lewes Priory during the construction of the Brighton, Lewes and Hastings Railway sparked interest in the county's history and in the formation of an archaeological society. On 18 June 1846 a meeting was convened by Mark Antony Lower, William Henry Blaauw and William Figg at County Hall in Lewes at which the Sussex Archaeological Society was formally established.<ref name=aboutsas/>
In 1864 the Society appointed its first curator and librarian, and in 1866 the first museum catalogue was compiled. Having rented space in Castle Lodge, the Society later acquired Barbican House, which continues to house its museum and library.<ref name=aboutsas/>
Activities
[edit]The Sussex Archaeological Society organises excavations, talks and conferences on the archaeology and history of Sussex and offers research facilities at its library.<ref name=aboutsas/> Its chief executive is currently Andrew Edwards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
As well as supervising excavations in Sussex, it also publishes the Sussex Archaeological Collections and an annual report, and administers the Long Man of Wilmington. It manages six historic properties and museums, which are open to the public:
- Fishbourne Roman Palace
- Lewes Castle and Barbican House Museum
- Anne of Cleves House, Lewes
- Michelham Priory
- Marlipins Museum, Shoreham-By-Sea
- The Priest House, West Hoathly
In 2006 the Society began an archeological investigation in the Tide Mills area,<ref>Initial details of the Sussex Archaeological Society Tide Mills archaeology project</ref> which, according to the Newhaven Local & Maritime Museum, would include not only the tide mill but also a record of the entire East Beach site, comprising the mills, railway station, nurses home, Chailey Heritage Marine Hospital, Newhaven Seaplane Base, holiday homes and the Newhaven Marconi Radio Station.
In 2020 the society received a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to cover costs during the Covid-19 pandemic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also received £323,800 from the British government's Culture Recovery Fund in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notable members
[edit]Publications
[edit]Template:Scholia Template:Main The Society has published an official journal, Sussex Archaeological Collections, annually since 1848 with a few gaps. The current editor is Jaime Kaminski.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>