Historic finds at riverfront site

A cooking pot, complete with the remains of a meal cooked in the 13th Century, is one of the discoveries made at the Ropetackle site.

The pot had broken into tiny pieces but has been reconstructed by the team excavating the site before new homes, businesses and community facilities are built there.

A mediaeval limestone spindle that was used for rope making has also been found, providing evidence of where Ropetackle gets its name.

Also uncovered were a brooch and a rare belt buckle from the same period. The buckle still has its central pin, which would usually have rotted away by now.

Archaeologists have also discovered evidence of more recent occupation of the site, which has stood derelict for the past 30 years.

The demolished walls and cellar of the former Kings Arms pub, which was built in the 1830s, have been discovered.

Also found are the reinforced concrete remains of one of Shoreham's main air raid shelters from the Forties.

Simon Stevens, of Archaeology South-East, said: "There is also a lot of evidence emerging of Shoreham's importance as a centre of trade with mediaeval Europe.

"We have German quern stone, a volcanic rock used in building, which is quite a rare find.

"There is also pottery from Germany, France, the Low Countries and Spain. Pottery would also have been exported there from here, along with corn and other cereals.

"We have had some interesting animal bones, including what could be those from a whale or a dolphin.

"If a whale had washed up on the beach, it would have been Christmas come early for the people who lived here.

"They would have used everything from the meat for food, the fat for oil and wax while the bones would have made needles for making sails or nets."

The investigation will continue until the end of April when all the ancient buildings and rubbish pits will be covered over.

Developers Berkeley Homes will then begin work on its £22million project to build a new focal point for the town.