This summer we will be continuing work in the field north of the Roman villa looking for further evidence of Iron Age and Roman rural activity. Volunteers are welcome, with Surrey Archaeological Society and its Roman Studies Group members having priority, but other volunteers, experienced or not, are welcome. If you have not dug on the site before you will be asked to commit to five days attendance over the month. The dates for 2020 are as follows:

Saturday 13th - Wednesday 17th June

Saturday 20th - Wednesday 24th June

Monday 29^th June -Wednesday 1st July

Following the great success of the 2018 conference on the transition from Roman to Saxon in the South-East, the Roman Studies Group is arranging another such event, this time focusing on the end of the Iron Age and the start of Roman Britain in our area.

Dr. David Bird, RSG Chairman and past Surrey County archaeologist, will be giving us an update on his research on Ashtead Roman villa and Tileworks. Surrey Archaeological Society carried out excavations on the site between 2006-2013, but the history of archaeological investigation on the site goes back to the 1920s when AWG Lowther investigated the main villa building and detached bath house. David, in preparation for publication of the project has been examining records, both modern and historic, and his talk will give us a glimpse of what he has found.

Emma Corke, Director of excavations at Cock Farm Abinger, will be updating us on yet another successful season on this site of Iron Age and Roman agricultural activity in Abinger. Earlier indications of a human presence include Neolithic pottery and a number of flint implements. Archaeology found in the three CFA19 trenches , including Iron Age, transitional and Roman ditches, and more than 170 postholes, are tying together features from previous seasons to indicate a pattern of activity over several centuries.

James Bromwich is the author of several specialist guide books to Roman archaeology in France. Last season we heard James talking on the garum and salt industries in France and he is back talking to us about Gallic sanctuaries. Sites that will be expanded upon include Le Vieil-Évreux in Normandy and Haut-Bécherel Sanctuary at Corseul in Brittany.

James' detailed guide books will be on sale during the evening.

David Calow, Director of the Flexford excavations, will be talking to members about a number of sites within Surrey where metal detectorist have uncovered large numbers of metal finds. These finds have either enhanced the understanding of activities on a known site or highlighted the presence of a previously unknown site. Come along to learn more.

David Quick, Chairman of Liss Archaeology, will talk to us on the latest excavations at Colemore.

The first of RSG's winter series of talks commences with the group's Annual General Meeting.

Once business is concluded we are lucky enough to have a talk by Dr Clare Rainsford on animal bones in ritual contexts.

South Oxfordshire Archaeological Group is extending its excavations at Gatehampton Roman villa, near Goring-on-Thames into 2019. The focus this year will be the bath house and exploration of  a possible new building. The visit will include an explanation of the site, a tour of the excavations and viewing of the latest finds. Whilst there is no fee for the tour, donations to the project are welcomed.

Following the visit to the excavation there is the option to stay locally for a pub lunch.

Excavations are continuing this year on the bath house at Silchester. For the visit Professor Mike Fulford, Site Director, will put the excavations in context, show the excavation itself and then show some of the finds. 

Following the visit there is the option to stay for a pub lunch and/or view the ampitheatre and walk around the town walls. An audio guide has been produced by English Heritage featuring Mike Fulford that can be downloaded to iPod, mobile phone or mp3 player.

Whilst there is no fee for the visit donations will be welcome to support the project.