Excavation by M.G. O'Connell for SyAS and DOE (reported Jan 1976) located only modern disturbance over the natural subsoil. (123)

Excavation by R.L. Ellaby for Holmesdale Archaeological Group and SyAS (reported Feb 1976) revealed a large mass of Mesolithic flints in soil redeposited over a 13th century site containing two firepits. (124)

Site watching by D Williams of redevelopment recovered medieval and later pottery, including one possibly Saxon rim sherd, but no related features. (157)

Excavation was carried out over the two years by D Williams for the Holmesdale Archaeological Group and SyAS, and in September-October 1974 by R J Poulton for SCC and DOE. The latter concentrated on the Saxo-Norman levels with several pits and some evidence for minor industry, suggesting that this area was the ‘backlands’ to a settlement closer to the parish church. A later trial trench on the Church Street frontage could not confirm this hypothesis because of late disturbance. A notable find was a probably Saxo-Norman bone skate.

watching of redevelopment by D Williams located several undated floor levels immediately over tilled soil with 13th and 14th century pottery. A nearly complete early 16th century Raeren mug was also recovered. (157)

Report by D W Williams of the recovery of part of the mullion and transom of a Tudor window from the foundations of a probably 18th century boundary wall. It presumably came from the Priory. Also recovered were a few medieval sherds, a plain floor tile and the base of an undated Purbeck marble mortar. (180)

Small-scale excavation was carried out by D W Williams for HAG around the Golf Club house, supposedly the site from which came the well-known waster jug. Only eight sherds of medieval pottery were found. (183)

Site watching of chancel reflooring by R J Poulton, M G O’Connell and D W Williams revealed no medieval features, but reused probably medieval floor tiles were noted.

Further excavation was carried out by D W Williams for HAG in advance of proposed redevelopment. Just above the natural sand were found a barrel padlock and many sherds of coarse sandy ware cooking pots, associated with carbonised seeds and fish bones. A 12th century date for this pottery and a pit group from the earlier, published, excavation was supported by the discovery nearby of a 12th century French billon denier minted in Angoulême.

Reported by D W Williams that peat samples had been taken in advance of redevelopment. They indicated that the area was once a large lake arid were thought to represent at least 1000 years of build-up in the 3m thick layer.