Prehistoric maps of the South Downs have gone on display.

The new maps, which can be viewed in a shop in Rottingdean, are part of a collection which aims to show how Britain suffered severe flooding directly after the Ice Age 10,000 years ago.

The maps are based on a recently published book, The Stonehenge Enigma by Robert Langdon, and are on display at Ology on the High Street until June.

In his book, Mr Langdon claims there is evidence of post-glacial flooding more recently than some academics initially believed.


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He claims the existence of ancient monuments on high ground prove that much of Britain was flooded as early as 10,000 years ago.

He said: “One thing I noticed was that all the sites were on high ground. The laws of maths say if it was done randomly you would have some down low. That was very curious to me.

“I look at things logically to see if there’s a connection and the connection was water. History tells us that the ice melted and a huge amount of water flooded the landscape. The Thames was a small river until the last Ice Age.”

The maps of the South Downs have been added to an existing collection which mapped 1,000 sites of monuments around 500 square miles of Wiltshire.

Mr Langdon said what the sites in Wiltshire and Sussex have in common, including Devil’s Dyke, is the prevalence of sand just 18 inches underneath the surface.

He said: “Water must have been there in more recent history because people built structures around waterways.

“Take Stonehenge for example – it is surrounded by big dry dips on all sides. How did ancient peoples get the stones to the site? By water of course. It’s just common sense.”

The store’s owner, Bob Davis, said: “The exhibition is relevant to everyone in the South Downs and gives people the chance to see their history. People can locate where they live in the flood areas and see if their houses would have been under water.”