Reigate & Banstead

Reigate Heath

Topographical survey of the Reigate Heath barrow cemetery and its surroundings by J English of SyAS. Detailed plans of all known and suspected barrows have shown continuing damage by heavy leisure use. The barrows utilise a ridge between two streams and are overlooked by the North Downs

Land north of Tanyard Farm, Horley (Horley North East Sector Development

Excavation and watching brief by D Swift of ASE. Extensive evidence for Middle to Late Iron Age settlement was revealed to the south of the Burstow Stream, including a rare double-ring gully and post-built structure of a possible ritual nature. An apparent hiatus in occupation occurred until re-settlement in the 1st century AD, although field systems elsewhere on the site showed evidence for continuity. A further hiatus in occupation was noted until activity resumed in the late 2nd–early 3rd centuries AD.

Littleton Manor, Reigate

Soil-stripping, mapping and sampling by S Watson of PCA prior to the formation of a horse jumping area. No finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed. However, naturally occurring deposits of bog iron ore were encountered. Bog iron is formed through percolation of groundwater flowing into wetlands, and is thought to have been a major source of iron during the pre-industrial periods. Its discovery is fairly rare as most deposits appear to have been worked out in antiquity, so its analysis will contribute significantly to studies of pre-industrial iron-working in the region.

Stepstile Meadows, Reigate

Excavation by D Whittaker and A Margetts of ASE, continuing from previous evaluation and excavations in 2007. Limited archaeological material was revealed, with the majority of the predominantly Iron Age and Roman finds being recovered from a layer of colluvium. Some fairly unabraded Neolithic material was also recovered from this layer, suggesting possible rapid deposition, although the presence of early medieval material also suggests some later disturbance, possibly through ploughing.

Home Farm, Merstham

Dendrochronology assessment by M Bridge of ODL, undertaken as part of an historic buildings assessment prior to conservation and redevelopment. Seven roof timbers were sampled and analysed, six of which cross-matched with two coming from the same tree. The resulting site master chronology suggested a likely felling date for the timbers as 1580–97, with the supposition being that the probable date of construction was towards the lower end of the sequence, probably in the early 1580s.

Old Town Hall, High Street, Reigate

Historic building recording and watching brief by P Copeland and I Froneman of CgMs prior to and during conversion works. The Town Hall is thought to have been constructed in 1708 on the site of an earlier chapel, although no evidence for this structure now visibly survives. Subsequent alterations to the interior have obscured much of the original fabric, little of which was revealed during the refurbishment. A written, drawn and photographic record of the structure was compiled, together with further observations made during alterations.

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