An interesting feature you may not be aware of lies within Pippingford Park. Below the largest end lake, is a large long dry valley, this was clearly at sometime a lake. The overflow stream runs through it, far end there was a substantial dam. Just below this dam/road track is an ancient iron works. It would now be covered in tarpulins and leaf debris etc. I know this because i went fishing there about Easter or Whitsun 1973/4, i Wandered off exploring and came across a team of archeologists who had dug it out by hand and were now using trowels to find items. I was encouraged to wander about and shown the features. There were furnaces, Charcoal, iron bits and pieces, galleries running through the site. Ditches were filled with rusty water and in the stream, could be found strange shaped clinker type small elongated stones that looked like they had been extruded or formed and shaped from a molton state, which sounded metalic when clinked together. It is said that cannons and balls were made in the Forest, quite possibly this was one of those places. May be worth your further research.
What plants and trees were around in the Ashdown Forest during mesolithic times? Was there bracken and gorse at the time? Are there any burial areas in the Forest?
Interesting, thank you
I'm betting that somewhere in that forest, is the location of the Battle of Ashdown. Probably near King's Standing, the name might be a good clue.
An interesting feature you may not be aware of lies within Pippingford Park. Below the largest end lake, is a large long dry valley, this was clearly at sometime a lake. The overflow stream runs through it, far end there was a substantial dam. Just below this dam/road track is an ancient iron works. It would now be covered in tarpulins and leaf debris etc.
I know this because i went fishing there about Easter or Whitsun 1973/4, i Wandered off exploring and came across a team of archeologists who had dug it out by hand and were now using trowels to find items. I was encouraged to wander about and shown the features.
There were furnaces, Charcoal, iron bits and pieces, galleries running through the site. Ditches were filled with rusty water and in the stream, could be found strange shaped clinker type small elongated stones that looked like they had been extruded or formed and shaped from a molton state, which sounded metalic when clinked together.
It is said that cannons and balls were made in the Forest, quite possibly this was one of those places.
May be worth your further research.
Interesting! Thank you!
What plants and trees were around in the Ashdown Forest during mesolithic times? Was there bracken and gorse at the time? Are there any burial areas in the Forest?