Excavation by J Harte and H Waterhouse for Bourne Hall Museum and NAS [now EEHAS] in the bed of the lake which had become dry. Preliminary examination in 1990 produced 38 1st to 3rd century Roman coins from one sector. A trench indicated that dredging had removed most material above the natural Thanet Sand. Gravel-filled pockets in the sand were however found to contain animal bones and IA, RB or Saxon pottery. Various walls, mostly presumably earlier retaining walls for the lake bank, were also noted. (265). It may be suggested that the Roman coins were offerings at the original spring.

Excavation following on from evaluation in 1991, in advance of the Runfold diversion, part of the Blackwater Valley Route, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for SCC. A number of prehistoric pits, some possibly used in association with food preparation, were recorded. A provisional examination of the associated pottery has identified sherds of Bronze Age and Iron Age date. A number of Roman features included pits and ditches, one of which was possibly part of an enclosure. Associated pottery appeared to include early and late Roman material. (272

Excavation following on from evaluation in 1991, in advance of the Runfold diversion, part of the Blackwater Valley Route, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for SCC. Some prehistoric finds were made, but no contemporaneous features were discovered. Features of Roman date were recorded, including small pits and ditches and a small four post structure, as well as part of a large enclosure ditch. Provisional examination of the associated pottery suggests occupation dates to the early Roman period.

Evaluation trial trenching by S P Dyer for SCAU and Alchemy Ltd located no features or stratigraphy but recovered one sherd of IA date and pottery and tile of Romano-British and medieval date.

Evaluation by trial trenching in advance of construction of the M25 service station, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for the Department of Transport, revealed concentrations of 13th century pottery associated with areas of burning, thought to indicate the production of Limpsfield ware; further excavation was recommended. Two sections, one either side of the M25, were also dug through the London-Lewes Roman road and variations in construction were noted. Two areas, one either side of the motorway, were subsequently excavated by Graham Hayman of SCAU for English Heritage.

Two seasons of excavation were directed by G H Cole for SHAHT. There was evidence for earlier prehistoric occupation (worked flints) and late Iron Age occupation and possibly related iron working (pottery and slag). Parts of possible buildings of the 2nd/3rd centuries were identified and there was late RB material including part of a jet finger ring with a monogrammed cross. No evidence was found for medieval occupation but the site had evidence for a post-medieval tanning industry known from documents to date c l596-1851.

A watching brief on groundworks at the Town Hall and some excavation was carried out by P M G Jones of SCAU for Spelthorne Borough Council. This confirmed that the building lay over medieval and Roman near-shore muds and silts which were sealed below 16th-17th century levels, probably representing foreshore reclamation. A reed peat filled feature of 15th century date was recorded, which contained numerous cut offs of wood and scraps of leather. The earliest buildings on the site appear to be late 15th or 16th century in date.

Evaluation by trial trenching in advance of gravel extraction, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for Hall Aggregates Ltd, adjacent to an area where work in 1989/90 had revealed Bronze Age and Roman features, revealed more extensive features, indicating occupation of mid-late Iron Age to 4th century date, with some evidence from the Bronze Age.

Test excavation some years previously by R Masefield of a possible RB tile production site located a large pit feature filled with 550 fragments of RB tile. They included much waster material represented by partially fired, overfired and distorted material, and a range of tile types, including roof, flue and hypocaust tiles. Fabric analysis by I Betts at the Museum of London demonstrated that the Reigate tilery had been supplying tiles to major sites in London. (282; see report in SyAC 90, 247-259)

Evaluation by trial trenching of an area to be used as a borrow pit for the Blackwater Valley Route, by Graham Hayman of SCAU for SCC. Occasional features of earlier prehistoric and Roman date were noted, but the principal archaeological interest within the site was evidence for Iron Age settlement. Formal excavation of five areas followed. Two of the excavated areas revealed some features of Iron Age date, but three areas contained the major parts of four substantial Iron Age settlements.