The Sussex Archaeological Society Conference – Sūþseaxna: New Research from the Early Medieval Record

Join us at the University of Sussex on Saturday 8th November 2025 for The Sussex Archaeological Society’s Annual Conference, Sūþseaxna: New Research from the Early Medieval Record

Join The Sussex Archaeological Society for a full-day conference exploring cutting-edge research on the Early Medieval period in Sussex, from the end of Roman Britain to the eve of the Norman Conquest. This pivotal era – once framed simply as the “Anglo-Saxon” age – is now understood to be far more complex, with new discoveries shedding light on the dynamic, diverse, and inter-connected communities that shaped early Sussex.

Building on the legacy of the influential South Saxons (Brandon, 1978) and the Epic Changes conference (2007), this event brings together leading researchers to present major new findings from cemeteries, landscapes, and artefacts.

Key themes include:

– The publication and launch of the Highdown cemetery excavation, alongside updates on Rookery Hill and South Malling Hill.
– Insights from Ancient DNA studies, revealing family structures and migrations.
– New evidence from the Portable Antiquities Scheme, including high-status metalwork discoveries.
– Settlement patterns and land use, including the role of transhumance and the development of village cores.
– Evolving understandings of kingdoms, community groupings, and the spread of Christianity in Sussex.

The day will feature talks from leading archaeologists and historians, including a keynote lecture by Dr Gabor Thomas on village core archaeology, and sessions on burial practices, landscape archaeology, and the significance of recent finds. With contributions from both established researchers and recent fieldwork teams, the conference offers a fascinating event for anyone interested in the Early Medieval period or the archaeology of Sussex.

Conference programme

Sue Harrington
Excavations at Highdown, West Sussex: the fifth and sixth century burials

James Sainsbury
Highdown Big Dig 2025: Initial Results

Martin Bell
Publishing Bishopstone Anglo-Saxon cemetery after 58 years

Giles Dawkes
Recent discoveries of Early Medieval settlement at Eastbourne

Dawn Cansfield, Scott Chaussee & Stuart Needham
Discovery of the Anglo-Saxon forebears of Harting

Gabor Thomas (Keynote lecture)
Bishopstone and Beyond: Exploring Early Medieval Worlds through Village Core Archaeology

Andrew Margetts
From Pasture to Hamlet: The Role of Transhumance in Shaping Early Medieval Sussex

Scott Chaussee
A Landscape Archaeology of Communities in Early Medieval Sussex

Michael Shapland
The Early Medieval Kingdoms of Sussex

Jane Clarke & Harry Redburn
How the Portable Antiquities Scheme is transforming our knowledge of early medieval Sussex (provisional title)

 

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About the event

Date: Saturday 8th November 2025

Event time: Registration and refreshments from 9am for a 9.30am start, finishing at 5.45pm.

Tickets:
Members of The Sussex Archaeological Society – £30
Non-members – £35
Students – £20
Tickets include lunch and light refreshments throughout the day. Please notify us by emailing membership@sussexpast.co.uk if you have any dietary requirements, i.e. gluten-free, coeliac, vegetarian, vegan, allergies etc.

Venue: Conference Space, Bramber House, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QU. The Conference Space is located on the top floor of Bramber House and is accessible via stairs or lift.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. View our ticket terms and conditions here.