Butser Ancient Farm

Abstract

Nestled among the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park, Butser Ancient Farm in Chalton has been an archaeological research site since 1972. The farm was originally set up on Little Butser, a spur of Butser Hill. It was established with support from the Council for British Archaeology as a site for archaeologists to test their theories, and under the influence of the first appointed director Peter Reynolds became a centre of excellence for experimental archaeology in Britain. In 1991 the farm moved to its present site at Bascomb Copse to become an independent organisation. The farm is easily accessible, well signposted just off the A3 between London and Portsmouth, but in a more sheltered position with less traffic and modern day noise.

Keywords

• archaeological open-air museum
• education
• animal
• agriculture
• iron age
• roman era
• united kingdom