IHRG Sussex THE INDEPENDENT HISTORICAL RESEARCH GROUP

The Independent Historical Research Group is made up of people from all walks of life with a common interest in history. The Group was born in 2006 with three members who embarked on a major project in the High Weald of East Sussex in the examination of the Roman Iron Industry, settling on one large and previously examined site and exploring the surrounding countryside for evidence that would add to the understanding of the Roman infrastructure and the way the iron ore was exploited. Since that time Membership has grown with the expansion of the Group’s activities, inclusive of Management of detector user volunteers from clubs throughout East Sussex and offered to Professional Archaeologists as a surveying tool. The Groups activities are primarily concentrated in the High Weald, an area admittedly neglected by Archaeology for a number of years. The Weald is believed to be one huge Roman Imperial Estate selected and jealously protected by by a succession of Roman Emperors because of its vast iron ore deposits. Today’s inhabitants are literally walking on history in the evidence of the hundreds of iron ore pits that dot the landscape and in the fact that iron production continued through the century’s to the great iron Masters of the 19th Century leaving behind a complete puzzle of Roman, mediaeval and 19th century exploitation. Fitting the pieces of the puzzle together is achieved by research, map and landscape study, field walking, metal detecting surveys and by the use of Geo Phys examination of suspect sites. Whilst the main aim is to segregate the Roman workings from others, nothing is overlooked and members take on examination of other aspects of history discovered in the field and strive to involve local communities where possible. IHRG have the recognition and support of the County Archaeologist whilst remaining totally independent in the selection and management of projects. It is the ideal calling for those who like to get out into the open air with a purpose and an inquisitive mind and the rewards are there to be found. Despite major discoveries over the past three years, IHRG is still in an infancy stage and welcomes academics, those with an Archaeological background and those who have an interest in history and investigation and can give even a few hours from time to time. How involved a member becomes is completely down to the individual. FANCY WALKING THROUGH THE MUD, RESEARCHING ARCHIVES, STARING AT OLD AND MODERN MAPPING, BEING INVOLVED IN GEO PHYS SURVEYS, VISITING & INVESTIGATING LANSCAPE ANOMOLIES, USING A METAL DETECTOR OR SDCRABBLING IN THE SOIL FOR EVIDENCE. COME AND JOIN US – JUST CONTACT THE E-MAIL ADDRESS

Main Page Contact