THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE - The Stump Bottom Dew-pond

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

Finn, Suzie and Katie (in the background and waiting to get on with their walk) on the way to Stump Bottom in March 2000.

THE STUMP BOTTOM DEW-POND

I have always found it surprising that in prehistoric times the climate was much wetter than today.

I have discovered that during the early Iron Age there was an agricultural settlement on Park Brow above Stump Bottom, (one mile north-east of Cissbury Ring).

Stump Bottom, April 2000.

The rainfall at that time was heavier than we know it, the temperature cooler, and evaporation lower. The inhabitants of this 5th and 6th century B.C. site, were most likely the first to dig a pit for conserving water beside their hillside track. This was near to their settlement of huts and thus solved any need for a further water supply. Surface water swept down the pathway on wet days and collected in their primitive reservoir ready for their use.

This early Iron Age settlement was succeeded by rectangular houses, one measuring 9 metres by 6 metres. The wattle-and-daub walls were plastered and colour-washed, the roof was tiled and some of the windows were glazed. A large door lock protected the front door. This all tells me that the water supply was still plentiful.

I understand that by the time the Romans arrived on the Findon scene, the rainfall was still heavier than today. Nevertheless, the once vital water-hole at Park Brow had become silted and this source of water had completely dried up.

At Stump Bottom, (the valley to the west of the Park Brow downland), lies another ancient dry catchment pond that was also most likely built by the inhabitants of Park Brow. This was constructed by damming the bottom of the valley (at a time when the slopes were wetter than today).

April 2004 — The overgrown dew-pond at Stump Bottom. The outline of the circular shape can be clearly seen.

How do Shetland Sheepdogs spend their time? After spending the morning searching the Bunny Bank..... Suzie and Katie set off to Stump Bottom in the afternoon...

"What do you see over there, sister?"

"Looks like fallow deer to me"

"Let's investigate"

..... and it was. Two fallow deer on the Findon Downs.

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This is Findon Village — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.

E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com