38 SURVEYS OF VALLEY ENTRENCHMENTS. 



entrenchments of the Bronze Age. Unlike Roman entrench- 

 ments they were marked out by the eye rather than measured 

 with the rod. . . . The entrenchments of the Bronze 

 Age, in so far as my experience goes, were of very slight relief. 

 The ditches, before excavation, are seen as mere indentations 

 on the surface, and irregularities in their construction cannot 

 be noticed until the hard sides are laid bare down to the very 

 bottom for a considerable distance." (7) 



VALLEY ENTRENCHMENTS or SUSSEX. 



The mutilation and partial destruction of several Sussex 

 valley entrenchments tend to show that manj 7 sites have been 

 entirely eradicated by cultivation in recent years. An en- 

 deavour is being made to discover and survey all our Sussex 

 examples, so that, if necessary, steps may be taken to arrest 

 further destruction. 



In 1909, the remains of two intersecting valley entrench- 

 ments situated on the cliff edge near the old Beachy Head 

 Lighthouse, were brought to my notice ; and, as cliff erosion 

 was hastening their destruction, it was determined to 

 investigate them at the earliest opportunity. Their survey 

 and excavation was carried out under the auspices of the 

 Brighton and Hove Archaeological Club in August, 1909. (8) 



These earthworks, which lie within the great promontory 

 fort of Beltout, were perhaps more regular in outline than 

 those excavated in Cranborne Chase, and, judging from the 

 shallowness of their ditches, must have been far less imposing 

 structures when first made. However, our week's excavation 

 revealed the interesting fact that they are of the same period 

 as those on the North-east Dorset border, i.e., Bronze Age. 



7. "Excavations in Cranborne Chase," Vol. IV., p. 186. 



8. An illustrated report on the Beltout excavations will be included 

 in the next volume of the Sussex Archaeological Society's " Collections." 

 The large valley entrenchment at Beltout differs from any example 

 known at present in that its ditch lies within the rampart. 



