242 Collections Jot a History of West Bean. 



Antiquities. 



There is little doubt that in British, as in still earlier times, the 

 central zone of the parish was covered with dense forest, from which 

 the downs sloped upwards to the north and south, and that the 

 London clay of its lower level, where the surface-soil is deepest, 

 was partially cleared for agricultural purposes at an early period. 



British Camp. 



Of British occupation we have important and interesting evidence 

 in the well-preserved circular camp or entrenchment, which, although 

 strange to say, it entirely escaped the notice of Sir R. C. Hoare, 

 the historian of the county — perhaps hidden at the time from sight 

 by thick underwood — occupies nevertheless a position of some 

 prominence, close to the old Church of S. Mary — its site noted in 

 the tithe map as "Castle field/' Raised some 18ft. above its 

 encircling fosse, and having a diameter of 150ft., it is perfectly 

 level at the top, and nearly circular, and was utilized, at the com- 

 mencement of the present century, as a bowling green, by the 

 owners of the adjoining mansion. Defended, as I suppose, by a 

 strong wattled pallisade, it probably formed a " kraal," or enclosure 

 of security for the families and cattle of its constructors, on occasions 

 of predatory attack, while the village warriors were doing battle with 

 their invaders. Its present, and — as I take it — original entrance is 

 on the south-west. 



A good flint chisel was picked up by myself in a field called 

 "Tots," adjoining my glebe, and a coin, of red gold, slightly 

 concave on the reverse, of Vericus, the son of Comius, a prince who 

 ruled over Sussex and Hants, and is credited with the " mala fides" 

 of having invited the Roman Emperor Claudius to undertake the 

 subjection of the island. Upon the obverse is a five-leaved flower, 

 and the inscription VERI on the reverse. 



Another British coin, found on the " lytchets " at East Dean, has 

 passed into the cabinet of Dr. Blackmore, of Salisbury. It is 

 without inscription, and bears a rude resemblance to the classical 

 horse, which afforded the nucleus of a design — ever degenerating 

 further away from the original — to a series of British monarchs. It 

 is of red gold, but of common type and small value. 



