Iron Age

Franks’ Sandpit, Betchworth

Excavation by D W Williams for SyAS in advance of mineral extraction revealed two concentrations of activity. One was a concentration of pits, three of which contained Late Neolithic grooved ware and, palaeo-environmental assessment revealed, hazelnut shells; one of these pits also contained over 30 flint scrapers. Other pits were packed with charcoal and cremated bone, and one contained a Bronze Age spiral ring. The surrounding areas produced a variety of flints from Late Mesolithic through to Middle Bronze Age date, and sherds of decorated Peterborough type bowls from the Neolithic.

Warren Farm, Ewell

Evaluation and excavation by G Hayman of SCAU for Cala Homes (Southern) Ltd of a site within what was the Little Park of Nonsuch Palace. Documentary evidence suggested that the site might contain evidence for clay extraction, but no evidence for this was recovered. A small number of prehistoric features were recorded, most of which appear to be Middle Iron Age in date, but which may include features of the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Finds included fragments of two rotary quern stones.

Hurst Park, East Molesey

Evaluation by B Langton of the Cotswold Archaeological Trust for Wates Built Homes Ltd recorded a scatter of mainly Neolithic flints and a number of features of Bronze Age date on this former racecourse adjacent to the Thames. More detailed excavation of the site was subsequently undertaken by P Andrews for Wessex Archaeology, which identified multi-period activity on an area of higher land.

Ravenscroft Road, St George’s Hill, Weybridge

Evaluation by Lawson-Price Environmental on behalf of Octagon Developments Ltd, in advance of residential development on the south-western side of St George’s Hill. A linear feature was recorded, leading to a larger area being opened up for excavation. A worked flint fragment was recovered from the feature, as were a number of burnt flints; these were probably redeposited by natural erosive action down the hill slope. The ditch was probably a field boundary, representing use of the hill slopes around the hillfort for agricultural purposes in the Iron Age.

Alderbrook Main Pipeline

A watching brief was maintained by M Dover of SCAU, for Thames Water Utilities, on the construction of a replacement water main. A concentration of prehistoric pottery was noted at TQ 037 440 and further excavation revealed a layer containing numerous sherds of Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age pottery overlying what appeared to be a buried soil, which itself sealed a row of possible post holes. It seems likely that the layer containing the prehistoric pottery represents erosion of material from the adjoining hillslopes.

Runfold Farm

Evaluation by G Hayman of SCAU of the first phase of this mineral site, for Pioneer Concrete Holdings PLC, revealed numerous archaeological features. The majority of these dated to the Iron Age; the presence of a number of ring gullies suggests that this was a settlement site, similar to those found nearby at Tongham Nurseries, excavated in 1993. This evaluation also revealed some Early Roman material.

Princess Royal Sandpit, Runfold

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU, for BFI Ltd, of two areas permitted for mineral extraction, produced little of archaeological interest except for an area centred at SU 861 473. Here no features were revealed, but numerous finds of both prehistoric and Roman date were recovered. Analysis of the soils from which these finds were recovered indicates that they are essentially hillwash. This suggests occupation nearby, on higher ground, in both the prehistoric and Roman periods. Unfortunately, the area of higher ground adjacent has previously been quarried.

Trevereux Manor, Limpsfield

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU, for R Stilgoe, of an area proposed for an extension to the lake created in 1994, when a watching brief recorded a pit containing Late Iron Age/Romano-British pottery. The evaluation confirmed that the London-Lewes Roman Road runs only about 15 metres west of the alignment indicated by the Ordnance Survey. The road has clearly suffered damage since it fell out of use, probably as a result of ploughing. There was no sign of the expected side ditches. Numerous finds were recovered, indicating occupation in the near vicinity during the Roman period.

The Close, Vicarage Road, Staines

Evaluation by D Hopkinson of AOC, on behalf of Nicholas King Homes, in advance of residential redevelopment revealed a number of features, including a possible cultivation mark containing a sherd of mid to late Bronze Age pottery. Subsequently an area excavation was carried out by R Entwistle of AOC and a watching brief was also maintained on the development. A small assemblage of Mesolithic flints was recovered, as well as some sherds of Neolithic and early Bronze Age pottery.

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