Mesolithic

The Crossways, Abinger

Fieldwalking by N Cowlard of the SyAS Roman Studies Group close to the Cocks Farm villa recovered Mesolithic blades and flakes, a Neolithic spearhead and a number of scrapers, evidence of post-medieval activity, and a Second World War bomb, but no finds of Roman date. (405)

North Park Farm Quarry, Bletchingley

Archaeological work under the guidance of P Jones of SCAU and by N Branch of ArchS focused upon a dry valley (the hollow, as it was formerly described) visited repeatedly by Mesolithic communities that had been identified during previous evaluation at the quarry. The archaeological work consisted of geophysical survey, environmental sampling and excavation and was undertaken by professional, volunteer and student archaeologists.

Mercers Quarry, Merstham to North Park Farm Quarry,

Excavation by S Hammond of TVAS of six lengths of a pipeline trench between the quarries revealed a series of prehistoric pits, postholes and linear features, many datable by the struck flint within them to the Mesolithic. A localised area of buried soil beneath colluvium may pre-date the Bronze Age, although it did not contain any datable artefacts. A medieval ditch and two post-medieval features, consisting of a pit cut by a substantial rubble wall foundation, were also revealed.

Reigate town centre, Reigate

Watching brief by J Robertson of SCAU during the construction of a pipeline from the High Street at Reigate Methodist church into Priory Park. A number of features probably relating to the 18th century geometric kitchen gardens were revealed within the park, as well as the remains of a possible former trackway. Elsewhere, an apparent buried medieval soil layer produced 13th and 14th century pottery, and the area around the Methodist church and towards the High Street revealed evidence from probable boundary walls and a cellar of post-medieval date.

Rookery Farm, Kingswood

Fieldwalking by P Harp of Plateau, following on from excavations and fieldwalking in the area in 2002 and 2003. Palaeolithic surface material continued to be collected. Although most post-glacial flintwork was left in situ and unrecorded, some examples of Mesolithic axes and Neolithic/Bronze Age arrowheads were recovered.

Whitehall Lane/Milton Park Farm, Egham

Ongoing evaluation, continuing from the work carried out in 2003, by A Taylor of TVAS in advance of possible mineral extraction on this site. Material recovered included stray and residual finds of Upper Palaeolithic date, as well as Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age flintwork. Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval pottery was also found as well as occupation evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval dates.

95–133 Eastworth Road, Chertsey

Evaluation by I Williamson of AS preceding residential development revealed no archaeological finds or features. However, peat deposits were encountered. Pollen and diatom analysis of samples indicated a changing landscape during the Mesolithic period in the area, beginning with an open ground grass-dominated landscape with areas of standing water, progressing through differing woodland types until the sequence ended at around 7000 BP, with alder carr woodland becoming the dominant vegetation.

Brooklands Race Track, Weybridge

Evaluation and watching brief by D Score of OA as part of a programme of investigation in advance of and during the proposed redevelopment of part of the interior of the Scheduled Monument. Most of the area evaluated had been previously truncated and levelled, but two late medieval or early post-medieval ditches and an associated pit and gully, two large undated linear features (either ditches or possible former channels of the nearby river Wey), and two possible prehistoric ditches, were recorded.

Whitehall Lane/Milton Park Farm, Egham

Geophysical survey by A Bartlett of BCC, with a supplementary evaluation by P Jones of SCAU, in order to test the potential effectiveness of geophysical survey over the site. A number of magnetic anomalies were detected, although no corresponding archaeological features were revealed, suggesting that full geophysical survey of the site would not be productive. Subsequent evaluation involving the excavation of 464 trenches by A Taylor of TVAS in advance of possible mineral extraction revealed a wide range of finds and deposits.

Reigate Road Quarry (Franks’ Sandpit), Betchworth

A field survey, watching brief and excavation by J Perry of SutAS was undertaken in advance of sand extraction and close to a prehistoric and Roman site previously excavated by D Williams. The field survey and watching brief revealed quantities of Neolithic and Bronze Age struck flint, burnt flint and some Mesolithic struck flint. A small quantity of Bronze Age, Roman and medieval pottery was also recovered. These finds were spread over the whole field though there was a concentration of finds, particularly Bronze Age, at the highest point.

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